Czech Deputy PM Ivan Bartoš Resigns as Head of Pirates Party

Czech Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš has stepped down as leader of the Pirate Party following a significant electoral defeat over the weekend.

The Pirate Party managed to secure only three regional council seats, a steep drop from its previous 99, as the opposition ANO movement, led by former prime minister Andrej Babiš, dominated the elections, winning in 10 out of 13 regions.

“Given the outcome of the regional and senate elections, the leadership of the Pirate Party is collectively resigning,” Bartoš announced in a social media statement on Sunday.

In addition to Bartoš, other high-profile resignations include vice-chair Klára Kocmanová, MEP Markéta Gregorová, and municipal representative Dominika Poživilová Michailidu.

Jana Holomčík Leitnerová, another vice-chair of the party, had already announced her resignation, set to take effect by the end of September.

The party plans to elect a new leadership team on November 9.

These resignations signal a significant shift not only for the Pirate Party but also for the Czech political scene. Despite the party’s focus on anti-corruption and digital governance, its popularity has waned, reflecting a broader trend of declining support for progressive parties across Europe.

“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but it’s clear the party needs fresh leadership, new ideas, and renewed energy to win back the confidence of voters,” Bartoš said in his resignation statement.

Voter turnout was notably low, hovering around 33 percent, with public interest likely dampened by recent flooding in parts of the country.

The far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, led by Tomio Okamura, also made gains, increasing its seats from 35 to 41.

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