Why the Czech Republic’s municipal elections should matter to expats

Just take your ID card or passport with you to your local municipal authority, and they’ll do the rest. Alternatively, you can register to vote by post; find more information and a sample application here. If your permanent address in the Czech Republic is in Prague, you can register to vote in the capital city. If it’s in another city, you’ll be voting for that municipality’s council, even if you’re living temporarily in Prague or elsewhere. The deadline for registration is September 21.

1.Local councils affect your day-to-day life In general elections, people vote for representatives in the lower house of the Czech parliament. The party or group of parties with the highest number of votes forms a government that then determines the country’s overall direction and proposes legislation. But local councils are often more responsible for matters affecting citizens’ day-to-day life. The outcome of the municipal elections could have an impact on things that are important to you, such as the cost of public transport, rules for local businesses, school regulations, and more.
2.Decide the future of your region Each of the political parties involved in the municipal elections has a different plan for how to govern, both locally and nationally. What’s more, exercising your right to vote will influence the selection of the next mayor of your town from among those parties. “We do not have a direct election for mayors in the Czech Republic,” says Vít Hofman, spokesperson for Prague City Hall. “The city’s residents elect representatives, who then form a coalition of parties in post-election negotiations and elect a mayor.”
3.The higher the turnout, the more democratic the process Despite the importance of municipal elections, turnout could be higher. “Voter turnout in Prague was 46.44 percent in the last election,” says Hofman. High voter participation is key to a functioning democracy. The higher the number of votes, the more representative the result is of the wishes of society as a whole. In this context, the possibility for EU citizens to vote in municipal elections brings a democratic boost, allowing representation for those whose voices aren’t heard in other types of elections.
4.Voting will make you feel part of Czech society Even if politics isn’t usually your thing, voting is a way of actively participating in Czech society. Any kind of involvement is better than none, no matter who you vote for, or your own political beliefs. So instead of just letting the vote pass you by, you can use it as an opportunity to learn more about the place where you live and even discuss it with your friends and colleagues.
5.This is a vote like no other The Czech Republic goes into this election under unique circumstances. The country, and the capital city Prague in particular, is hosting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing war in their home country. The Covid pandemic is still fresh in the memory, and it seems likely that the country faces more turbulent times ahead.