The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) leadership election of 2014 was a result of party's electoral defeat in 2013 legislative election. Candidates include former Minister of Education and Chairman of Masaryk University Petr Fiala, former Prime Minister candidate Miroslava NÃÂmcová and MEP Edvard Koà ¾uà ¡nÃÂk. Fiala was nominated by 12 regional organisations and thus was considered a front-runner. Fiala was also endorsed by acting leader of ODS Martin Kuba. Edvard Koà ¾uà ¡nÃÂk was endorsed by Liberec Region organisation of ODS. Over 500 delegates voted.
Petr Fiala won a landslide victory when he received 437 votes. Fiala said that he wants to change political culture in ODS and that he wants to be a leader similar to Václav Klaus and Margaret Thatcher.
Previous leader of ODS and Prime Minister Petr NeÃÂas had to resign as a result of 2013 political corruption scandal. Martin Kuba became acting leader of ODS while Miroslava NÃÂmcová was nominated to the position of Prime Minister. President Miloà ¡ Zeman refused to appoint NÃÂmcová as a Prime Minister and called on early elections on 25âÂÂ26 October 2013. ODS was heavily defeated and gained only 16 Seats in Chamber of Deputies. Leadership of the party then resigned.
Miroslava NÃÂmcová announced on 6 December 2013 that she doesn't intend to run for a position of party's leader. Some sources stated that her decision was to give opportunity to former Minister of Education Petr Fiala whose candidacy was speculated. Petr Fiala announced his candidacy on 7 December 2013. He stated that ODS ceased to function as a political party and Fiala quickly gathered support from regional organisations and many influential members of the party. Jià ÂàPospÃÂà ¡il expressed his support to Fiala. On 19 December 2013, NÃÂmcová reportedly announced her candidature to Civic Democratic members of parliament. She refused to announce her candidacy publicly.
Edvard Koà ¾uà ¡nÃÂk announced his candidacy on 8 January 2014. He received nomination from Liberec regional organisation. Fiala stated that he is glad to not be the only candidate. Fiala was nominated by 12 regional organisations. NÃÂmcová didn't receive any regional nomination.
Fiala's nomination speech received standing ovation while NÃÂmcová's speech was noted by hurtful feeling. Koà ¾uà ¡nÃÂk's speech was received negatively. Fiala won the election by a large margin, being elected in the first round. NÃÂmcová was visibly disappointed and stated that the result isn't fair when she considers how much she did for the party.