Prague’s Pirates Prepare to Replace Hřib as City Leadership Faces New Power Balance

The leadership of the Czech capital is set for change as the Pirate Party begins the process of selecting a new deputy mayor to replace Zdeněk Hřib, who recently won a seat in parliament. The move opens a period of political adjustment inside Prague’s coalition government, already strained by differing priorities among its partners.

Hřib, a prominent figure in Czech politics and former mayor of Prague, confirmed that he plans to leave his executive post within six months but will continue to serve as an ordinary city councillor. He said the nomination process for his successor will begin this week within the Pirates’ council group, followed by talks with coalition allies. Once a candidate is chosen, the party’s wider membership will need to approve any amendment to the existing coalition agreement.

The decision comes at a sensitive moment for Prague’s governing alliance, which brings together the Pirates, the centrist group STAN, and the Spolu coalition led by TOP 09. Hřib’s departure could trigger broader reshuffling within the city’s leadership team, with other positions — including that of deputy mayor Jiří Pospíšil — also potentially changing hands. Pospíšil has signalled he intends to step aside after serving through months of political stalemate over his planned replacement.

Tensions have been building within the coalition over several policy issues, particularly transport and environmental planning. The Pirates have long pushed for reforms to the city’s parking system and tighter limits on vehicle access in the historic centre, arguing that Prague needs a more sustainable mobility strategy. Their partners in the Spolu bloc have resisted some of these proposals, warning of economic and logistical disruption. These disagreements have slowed progress on several parts of the city’s development agenda.

For the Pirates, the upcoming leadership vote is about more than filling a vacant seat — it is also an opportunity to reassert their influence in city politics after a year of uneasy cooperation. Party insiders say the new deputy mayor will need to balance continuity with renewed energy, maintaining relations within the coalition while advancing key elements of the party’s urban policy platform.

Hřib’s transition to national politics marks another step in his career but also highlights the blurred lines between local and parliamentary responsibilities in Czech public life. His continued presence as a city councillor will keep him involved in municipal affairs even after stepping down from the executive role.

Observers expect coalition negotiations to unfold over the coming weeks, with all parties keen to avoid destabilising the capital’s administration. If agreement can be reached, the changes could be approved in one vote by the city assembly later this autumn. If not, Prague’s coalition may again find itself navigating a delicate balance between political pragmatism and party priorities.

Source: CTK