2002 Civic Democratic Party leadership election explained

Country:Czech Republic
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2001 Civic Democratic Party leadership election
Previous Year:2001
Election Date:15 December 2002
Next Election:2004 Civic Democratic Party leadership election
Next Year:2004
Turnout:98.3%
1Blank: round
2Blank: round
Candidate1:Mirek Topolánek
Colour1:034EA2
1Data1:109
31.6%
2Data1:179
51.6%
Candidate2:Petr Nečas
Colour2:034EA2
1Data2:116
33.6%
2Data2:168
48.4%
Candidate3:Jan Zahradil
Colour3:034EA2
1Data3:103
29.9%
2Data3:eliminated
Candidate4:Miroslava Němcová
Colour4:034EA2
1Data4:17
4.9%
2Data4:eliminated
Candidate5:Jindřich Novohradský
Colour5:034EA2
1Data5:0
0%
2Data5:eliminated
Leader of ODS
After Election: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]

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.[2] 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.

On 22 September 2002, Evžen Tošenovský announced his candidacy.[3] Jan Zahradil reacted with an announcement that he will run against Tošenovský.[4] Tošenovský withdrew from election on 8 November 2002. He was the only official candidate at the time.[5]

In early November 2002, Mirek Topolánek and Miroslava Němcová announced their candidacy.[6] On 20 November 2002, Petr Nečas announced his candidacy. Pavel Bém stated that he will announce candidacy on 28 November 2002.[7]

Petr Nečas and Jan Zahradil were considered main candidates for the chairmanship as they were supported by strongest regional organisations. Nečas was endorsed by South Moravian ODS and Zahradil by Prague ODS. Other candidates were Mirek Topolánek and Miroslava Němcová.[8] Zahradil also received nomination from Plzeň and Ústí organisations. Nečas then received nomination from Moravia-Silesia which was Topolánek's home regional organisation.[9]

Candidates

Confirmed

Refused to run

Voting

Candidate 1st Round2nd Round
116 33.6%168 48.4%
109 31.6%179 51.6%
103 29.9%
17 4.9%
0 0%
Turnout345 97.7%347 98.3%
Before the voting started, candidates were allowed to make a speech for delegates. Conservative candidate Petr Nečas 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 Topolánek, 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 Němcová declined to make a speech.[18] It was expected that Petr Nečas and Jan Zahradil will face each other in the second round but Zahradil was eliminated and Topolánek became Nečas' rival for the second round. Nečas was considered the front-runner but Topolánek received more votes and became the new leader.[19]

Aftermath

Topolánek's victory was unexpected as he was the least acceptable candidate to Václav Klaus. Some delegates admitted that they voted for Topolánek because they wanted change.[20] 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 accepted the result correctly.[21] [22] Klaus himself stated that he doesn't have a problem with Topolánek but with people who pushed Topolánek to the position with expectations that are different than expectations of Mirek Topolánek[19] 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.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Volba předsedy ODS v historii: jednoznačná záležitost. TN.cz. 12 August 2016. 19 June 2010.
  2. Web site: Prohráli jsme, přiznal Klaus. iDNES.cz. 21 January 2017. 15 June 2002.
  3. Web site: Tošenovský chce být předsedou ODS. iROZHLAS. 30 July 2017. cs.
  4. Web site: Do čela ODS chce Tošenovský i Zahradil. iDNES.cz. 30 July 2017. 23 September 2002.
  5. Web site: Tošenovský: Vzdám to, nechce mě Klaus. iDNES.cz. 30 July 2017. 8 November 2002.
  6. Web site: Ring se plní. Euro.cz. 30 July 2017. cs. 21 November 2002.
  7. Web site: Nečas chce šéfovat ODS. iDNES.cz. 30 July 2017. 20 November 2002.
  8. Web site: Nečas a Zahradil vedou v boji o post šéfa ODS. iDNES.cz. 21 January 2017. 2 December 2002.
  9. Web site: Regionální sněmy ODS podporují nejčastěji Zahradila. iROZHLAS. 2 December 2017. cs.
  10. Web site: Ring se plní. Euro.cz. 12 August 2016. 21 November 2002.
  11. Web site: Klausovi děkovali i jeho nástupci. iDNES.cz. 12 August 2016. 14 December 2002.
  12. Web site: Tipujte předsedu ODS-13.kongres 13.12.začíná.... Kurzy.cz. 12 August 2016.
  13. Web site: Tošenovský to vzdal. Centrum pro Studium Demokracie a Kultury. 12 August 2016. 10 December 2015.
  14. Web site: Evžen Tošenovský se rozhodl kandidovat na funkci předsedy ODS. Rozhlas.cz. 12 August 2016.
  15. Web site: Tošenovský: Vzdám to, nechce mě Klaus. iDNES.cz. 12 August 2016. 8 November 2002.
  16. Web site: Šéfem ODS zatím zůstanu, naznačil Klaus. iDNES.cz. 12 August 2016. 18 July 2002.
  17. Web site: Oprať ODS převzal Mirek Topolánek. iDNES.cz. 12 August 2016. 15 December 2002.
  18. Web site: Klausovi děkovali i jeho nástupci. iDNES.cz. 29 July 2017. 14 December 2002.
  19. Web site: Topolánek je šéfem ODS. Radio Praha. 29 July 2017. cs.
  20. Web site: ODS: Chtěli jsme změnu. iDNES.cz. 21 January 2017. 17 December 2002.
  21. Web site: Topolánek: Budu to mít těžké. iDNES.cz. 21 January 2017. 16 December 2002.
  22. Web site: Topolánek: Nerad prohrávám. iDNES.cz. 21 January 2017. 18 December 2002.

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