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Civic Democratic Party leadership election, 2002

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← 2000
  
15 December 2002

Turnout
  
98.3%

51.6%
  
48.4%

15 December 2002
  
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168

Civic Democratic Party leadership election, 2002

The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) leadership election, 2002 happened after party was defeated in legislative election. The incumbent leader Václav Klaus decided to not participate in the election. The main Candidates included Petr Nečas, Jan Zahradil and Mirek Topolánek. Petr Nečas was considered front-runner but unexpectedly lost in second round to Mirek Topolánek who was considered a Dark horse of the election. 353 delegates could vote.

Contents

Background

Václav Klaus led ODS since its foundation in 1991. Party was in opposition since 2002 but supported minority cabinet of Miloš Zeman. ODS hoped to win 2002 legislative election but was defeated by ČSSD. Klaus then decided to not seek another term as leader of ODS and decided to run for presidency instead. New leader was to be elected at congress in Františkovy Lázně. Petr Nečas and Jan Zahradil were main candidates for the chairmanship as they were supported by strongest regional organisatins. Nečas was endorsed by South Moravian ODS and Zahradil by Prague ODS. Other candidates were Mirek Topolánek and Miroslava Němcová.

Candidates

  • Petr Nečas - A Vice-Chairman of the party whose candidature was rumoured even though he previously rejected the possibility. He was considered the front runner among remaining candidates. He was the candidate of conservative part in ODS.
  • Jan Zahradil - Zahradil was considered the liberal candidate in election.
  • Mirek Topolánek - Chairman of Senate Caucasus who was considered the least preferred candidate for Klaus. His victory was unexpected.
  • Miroslava Němcová - Vice Chairman of Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and only woman in election.
  • Jindřich Novohradský - Medic who announced his candidature at last moments.
  • Evžen Tošenovský - He announced his candidature in September 2002 and was the only candidate at the time. He suspended his candidature when ODS won Senate and Municipal election. His candidature was called a "hostile takeover attempt."
  • Václav Klaus - The incumbent leader of party. Klaus originally said that he intends to run again and South Bohemian ODS even proposed his candidature but Klaus eventually decided to focus on presidential candidature instead. Klaus was elected Honorary Chairman of ODS.
  • Other rumoured candidates included Vlastimil Tlustý or Martin Říman.

    • Aftermath

    Topolánek's victory was unexpected as he was the least acceptable candidate fo Václav Klaus. Some delegates admitted that they voted for Topolánek because they wanted change. Klaus reportedly wasn't pleased by the result and was seen sending a text message in which he called Topolánek "absolutely dry hollow poplar."According to Topolánek Klaus accpted the result correctly. Topolánek led ODS to 2006 legislative election and became the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. He was replaced as the leader of ODS by Petr Nečas in 2010.

    References

    Civic Democratic Party leadership election, 2002 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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