Prague coalition talks advance on housing, schools, and transport

Prague’s two leading political groups have moved closer to forming the capital’s next government, reaching preliminary agreement on housing, transport infrastructure, and education following talks on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The Mayors and Independents movement (STAN), which narrowly won Prague’s municipal election, and the SPOLU alliance have agreed on broad development priorities. However, negotiations remain open over who will control the city’s finances and whether a third political group will join the coalition.

The outcome could shape how Prague addresses some of its most pressing challenges, from housing availability and school capacity to transport projects and everyday commuting.

According to Czech Television's report on the negotiations, STAN leader Petr Hlaváček said the two groups had reached agreement on what the city should build, including transport infrastructure, schools, and housing.

Hlaváček wants the eventual coalition agreement to go beyond general political promises by identifying specific projects and committing to financing them.

That distinction could prove important for Prague residents, particularly as the city faces ongoing pressure to expand housing supply and public infrastructure.

The two groups also discussed how responsibilities within City Hall might be divided. SPOLU leader Tomáš Portlík indicated that both sides would prefer to retain several portfolios they previously managed.

These include urban development and education for STAN, and infrastructure, social affairs, and healthcare for SPOLU.

However, the transport portfolio remains undecided and could depend on whether another party enters the coalition.

Despite the progress, the two groups have yet to agree on who would oversee Prague’s finances, a position that could influence how the next administration funds its priorities.

STAN and SPOLU each secured 17 seats in Prague’s 65-member assembly, giving them a combined 34 seats, enough for a narrow majority.

But a two-party coalition is not the only possibility.

STAN is scheduled to meet representatives of Praha sobě and the Pirates on Monday, Oct. 19, to discuss potentially bringing a third partner into the administration. SPOLU has indicated that it prefers a two-party arrangement and will leave the decision about additional partners to STAN.

As ČTK reported, Hlaváček has expressed a preference for a broader coalition that would represent more voters.

The negotiations follow a closely contested municipal election that left several possible governing combinations on the table. An earlier Expats.cz report also highlighted public pressure for STAN to pursue an alternative alliance without ODS.

For Prague residents, Thursday’s agreement signals progress toward a new administration, but it does not yet establish which housing, school, or transport projects will move forward, or when they might be delivered.