(MENAFN) Czech citizens began casting their votes on Friday to choose 200 representatives for the Chamber of Deputies, the lower chamber of the Czech Republic’s parliament, each serving a four-year mandate.

Approximately 8 million eligible voters are expected to participate on Friday and Saturday as 26 political parties and coalitions compete for seats in the lower house—an increase of four groups compared to the 2021 elections.

Out of these, seven parties have a "realistic chance" of gaining representation, with a total of 4,463 candidates contesting, averaging about 22 contenders per seat, according to a report by a news agency.

Numerous analysts have described this election as critical, since its outcome could bolster the populist faction in Central Europe. Current polls show the right-wing populist ANO party, led by billionaire Andrej Babis, age 71, as the frontrunner.

The Czech government is formed by the Chamber of Deputies.

For ANO to govern independently, it must win over 40% of the seats, a result considered improbable.

Nevertheless, Babis, who has promised to keep the nation outside the eurozone if victorious, has also dismissed the possibility of a coalition with ODS, the party of the current Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Polling locations opened at 2 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) and will close at 10 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Friday, with voting resuming from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time on Saturday.

MENAFN05102025000045017167ID1110151444