Civic Democratic Party leadership election, 2002

Civic Democratic Party leadership election, 2002

15 December 2002

Turnout 98.3%   Candidate Mirek Topolánek Petr Nečas Popular vote 179 168 Percentage 51.6% 48.4%

Leader of ODS before election Václav Klaus Elected Leader of ODS Mirek Topolánek

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.^[1]

Announced Candidates

• Petr Nečas - A Vice-Chairman of the party whose candidature was rumoured eventhough he previously rejected the possibility. ^[2] He was considered the front runner among remaining candidates. He was the candidate of conservative part in ODS.^[3]
• Jan Zahradil - Zahradil was considered the liberal candidate in election.^[3]
• Mirek Topolánek - Chairman of Senate Caucasus who was considered the least preferred candidate for Klaus.^[3] His voictory was unexpected.
• Miroslava Němcová - Vice Chairman of Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and only woman in election.^[4]
• 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."^[5][6][2][7]
• 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.^[8][9]
• Other rumoured candidates included Vlastimil Tlustý or Martin Říman.^[4]

Voting

Candidate	Petr Nečas	Mirek Topolánek	Jan Zahradil	Miroslava Němcová	Jindřich Novohradský	Turnout
1st Round	116 (33.6%)	109 (31.6%)	103 (29.9%)	17 (4.9%)	0 (0%)	345 (97.7%)
2nd Round	168 (48.4%)	179 (51.6%)	eliminated	eliminated	eliminated	347 (98.3%)

References

1. "Volba předsedy ODS v historii: jednoznačná záležitost". TN.cz. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
2. "Ring se plní". Euro.cz. 21 November 2002. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
3. "Klausovi děkovali i jeho nástupci". iDNES.cz. 14 December 2002. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
4. "Tipujte předsedu ODS-13.kongres 13.12.začíná...". www.kurzy.cz. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
5. "Tošenovský to vzdal". Centrum pro Studium Demokracie a Kultury. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
6. "Evžen Tošenovský se rozhodl kandidovat na funkci předsedy ODS". Rozhlas.cz. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
7. "Tošenovský: Vzdám to, nechce mě Klaus". iDNES.cz. 8 November 2002. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
8. "Šéfem ODS zatím zůstanu, naznačil Klaus". iDNES.cz. 18 July 2002. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
9. "Oprať ODS převzal Mirek Topolánek". iDNES.cz. 15 December 2002. Retrieved 12 August 2016.