BERLIN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Czechia's opposition parties will retain their majority in the Senate after securing five seats outright in the first round of elections for the upper house of parliament, according to preliminary results released early Sunday.
The five winners include candidates from the Christian Democrats, the Mayors and Independents and other opposition parties.
Under the Czech electoral system, one-third of the 81-member Senate, or 27 seats, are contested every two years. Candidates must win more than 50 percent of the vote in their respective constituencies to secure a seat outright in the first round.
The three main opposition groups hold 37 of the 54 seats not up for election. With five more seats secured in the first round, the opposition has ensured a majority of at least 42 seats, leaving Prime Minister Andrej Babis' ruling coalition in the minority.
In the nationwide municipal elections also held on Friday and Saturday, independent candidates and local groups won the majority of local council seats, while Babis' ANO party led in several major regional cities. ■