The main left-wing Czech party, Social Democrats (CSSD), remains the most popular political party in the country ahead of October 25-26 early elections, Lidovky.cz reported citing the results of a poll by ppm factum.

The poll showed that CSSD would receive a 26.2% backing giving it 68 mandates in the 200-seat parliament. The far-left Communists (KSCM) follow with a 16.7% support and 39 seats. The third most popular party is centre-right TOP 09, a junior partner in the former ruling coalition, with a 13.8% support and 32 mandates.

Surprisingly, ANO of billionaire Andrej Babis ranks at fourth position garnering the backing of 10.9% of the polled and giving it 24 parliamentary seats. Analysts say the growing popularity of ANO probably reflect the party's strong media campaign and its winning over rightist voters of the former ruling parties Civic Democrats (ODS) and TOP 09. Backing for ODS stays low at 8%.

The ppm factum’s poll also showed that two more parties would cross the 5% threshold to enter the parliament – Christian Democrats (6.7%) and the Citizens' Rights Party (SPOZ) of Czech President Milos Zeman with a 5.1% backing.

The lower house of the parliament voted on Aug 20 to dissolve itself clearing the way to early elections that will end a political crisis that started in June with the collapse of the centre-right government of Petr Necas who resigned amid a bribery and spying scandal. The political standoff deepened further after Zeman appointed his long-time leftist ally Jiri Rusnok to replace Necas against the will of the political parties and expectedly Rusnok’s government failed to win a vote of confidence in parliament. Rusnok is staying on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.