The opposition Social Democrats are awarded control of the Czech senate by the people in mid-term elections, giving them the chance to oppose right-wing government attempts to cut the wages of workers, stop them sending more troops to Afghanistan and make government reforms "socially more tolerable". [https:--www.bbc.co.uk-news-world-europe-11614494 (BBC)] [http:--www.france24.com-en-20101023-czech-leftist-opposition-tops-senate-vote-may-slow-reforms (AFP via France24)]date=August 2019