2002 Civic Democratic Party leadership election

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

Background

VÃÂ¡clav Klaus led ODS since its foundation in 1991. Party was in opposition since 2002 but supported minority cabinet of MiloÃÂ¡ Zeman. ODS hoped to win 2002 legislative election but was defeated by ÃÂSSD. 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 FrantiÃÂ¡kovy LÃÂ¡znÃÂ.

On 22 September 2002, EvÃÂ¾en ToÃÂ¡enovskÃÂ½ announced his candidacy. Jan Zahradil reacted with an announcement that he will run against ToÃÂ¡enovskÃÂ½. ToÃÂ¡enovskÃÂ½ withdrew from election on 8 November 2002. He was the only official candidate at the time.

In early November 2002, Mirek TopolÃÂ¡nek and Miroslava NÃÂmcovÃÂ¡ announced their candidacy. On 20 November 2002, Petr NeÃÂas announced his candidacy. Pavel BÃÂ©m stated that he will announce candidacy on 28 November 2002.

Petr NeÃÂas and Jan Zahradil were considered main candidates for the chairmanship as they were supported by strongest regional organisations. NeÃÂas was endorsed by South Moravian ODS and Zahradil by Prague ODS. Other candidates were Mirek TopolÃÂ¡nek and Miroslava NÃÂmcovÃÂ¡. Zahradil also received nomination from PlzeÃÂ and ÃÂstÃÂ organisations. NeÃÂas then received nomination from Moravia-Silesia which was TopolÃÂ¡nek's home regional organisation.

Candidates

Confirmed

Petr NeÃÂas - 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 TopolÃÂ¡nek - Chairman of Senate Caucasus who was considered the least preferred candidate for Klaus. His victory was unexpected.
Miroslava NÃÂmcovÃÂ¡ - Vice Chairman of Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and only woman in election.
JindÃÂich NovohradskÃÂ½ - Medic who announced his candidature at last moments.

Refused to run

EvÃÂ¾en ToÃÂ¡enovskÃÂ½ - 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 elections. His candidature was called a "hostile takeover attempt."
VÃÂ¡clav 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 TlustÃÂ½ or Martin ÃÂÃÂman.

Voting

Before the voting started, candidates were allowed to make a speech for delegates. Conservative candidate Petr NeÃÂas called for strong fight against left and for more open cooperation with other right wing parties. Liberal candidate Jan Zahradil stated that inner functioning of ODS should change and also called for cooperation with other parties. Mirek TopolÃÂ¡nek, who was considered the least preferred candidate for Klaus, praised Klaus' role in party. He stated that ODS should embrace Klausism as its ideology. Miroslava NÃÂmcovÃÂ¡ declined to make a speech. It was expected that Petr NeÃÂas and Jan Zahradil will face each other in the second round but Zahradil was eliminated and TopolÃÂ¡nek became NeÃÂas' rival for the second round. NeÃÂas was considered the front-runner but TopolÃÂ¡nek received more votes and became the new leader.

Aftermath

TopolÃÂ¡nek's victory was unexpected as he was the least acceptable candidate to VÃÂ¡clav Klaus. Some delegates admitted that they voted for TopolÃÂ¡nek because they wanted change. Klaus reportedly wasn't pleased by the result and was seen sending a text message in which he called TopolÃÂ¡nek "absolutely dry hollow poplar." According to TopolÃÂ¡nek Klaus accepted the result correctly. Klaus himself stated that he doesn't have a problem with TopolÃÂ¡nek but with people who pushed TopolÃÂ¡nek to the position with expectations that are different than expectations of Mirek TopolÃÂ¡nek TopolÃÂ¡nek led ODS to 2006 parliamentary election and became the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. He was replaced as the leader of ODS by Petr NeÃÂas in 2010.