A coalition of parties similar to the Czech national government is set to govern Prague after prolonged negotiations. The municipal elections in September saw no party or coalition in a dominant position, leading to disagreements over the participation of anti-corruption party Praha Sobe and attempts by populist ANO to form a city hall government with the center-right SPOLU coalition. The future coalition will consist of SPOLU, the Pirate Party, and the center-right Mayors and Independents group.

This is the same formation that composes the national government, with ODS returning to lead the Prague municipality, while Praha Sobe, ANO, and the far-right SPD go into opposition. The Pirates ended their alliance with Praha Sobe to enter negotiations with SPOLU and Mayors individually. SPOLU’s leadership refused to include Praha Sobe in the coalition talks due to conflicts between the two parties over leadership and corruption allegations.

Bohuslav Svoboda, a veteran ODS politician, will succeed Zdenek Hrib as mayor, while Hrib will become the first deputy mayor responsible for transportation. SPOLU will be in charge of finance and budget, social affairs, housing, and health, among others, while Mayors will be responsible for regional development and education and sports.

The agreement may decrease speculation that the Pirate Party could leave the national government, but the party’s more liberal views could also lead to further disagreements with SPOLU politicians in the future Prague coalition over housing and transportation.

Article by Prague Forum