2002 Czech Social Democratic Party presidential primaries

Presidential primaries for the Czech Social Democratic Party were held between 22 October and 25 November 2002 in order to choose the party's candidate for the 2003 presidential election. Miloš Zeman received the highest number of votes.[3][4] Other candidates were Jaroslav Bureš, Otakar Motejl and Otakar Potůček.[5] Jakub S. Trojan was originally a 5th candidate.[6]

2002 Czech Social Democratic Party presidential primaries
22 October 2002[1] - 25 November 2002[2]
 
Nominee Miloš Zeman Jaroslav Bureš Otakar Motejl
Party ČSSD Independent Independent
Popular vote 12,836 6,428 5,323
Percentage 49.5% 24.8% 20.5%

Candidates

Background

Leader of ČSSD Vladimír Špidla said after 2002 legislative election that party will have its own candidate. It led to speculations that such candidate could be Miloš Zeman who retired from politics at the time. Some prominent members of the party expressed their support for Zeman.[7] Zeman's candidature wasn't supported universally. Some politicians such as Lubomír Zaorálek didn't like the possibility and wanted Otakar Motejl as party's candidate. Zeman's supporters included Zdeněk Škromach. Špidla's co-worker Součková mentioned that there is 3rd secret candidate. Debate about possible candidates led to speculations that party could hold a primary election to decide.[8]

On 9 September 2002, Minister of Justice Jaroslav Bureš announced his candidature. He was offered the candidature by Stanislav Gross. Bureš was the first candidate to officially run.[9] ČSSD announced decision to hold a primary on 26 September.[10] Zeman announced his candidature on 30 September 2002.[11] On 1 October 2002 the candidates were Miloš Zeman, Jaroslav Bureš, Otakar Motejl and Rudolf Zahradník.[12] Martin Potůček joined the primaries on 20 October. Zeman Bureš and Motejl were considered the main candidates.[13] Zahradník later withdrawn from primaries.

Primaries started on 22 October 2002.[14] Otakar Motejl was considered the front-runner.[15] He was leading according to the poll by STEM. Voting ended on 25 November. It was reported at the time that Zeman was leading the poll.[16]

Opinion polls
DateAgencyOtakar MotejlMiloš ZemanJaroslav BurešMartin Potůček
25 November 2002Result21%49%25%5%
1–5 November 2002STEM[17]31%24%12%3%
15 October 2002SC&C[18]17.9%10.2%8.3%0.6%
September 2002STEM[19]29%18%n/an/a

Results
CandidateVotes%
Miloš Zeman12,83649.48
Jaroslav Bureš6,42824.78
Otakar Motejl5,32320.52
Martin Potůček1,3575.23
Invalid/blank votes1,278–
Total27,222100

Result and aftermath

Miloš Zeman received the highest number of votes and won the primaries. However, the results of the vote were not binding and some politicians wanted to nominate Otakar Motejl who came third.[20] Zeman agreed that he will not participate in the first round of voting in the presidential election,[21] with the party selecting Jaroslav Bureš instead.[22][23] It was planned that Zeman would become the party's candidate in the second round of voting, taking over from Bureš. However, Bureš was surprisingly eliminated in the first round.[24]

Controversy

Primaries were criticised for weak preparations. It was reported on 23 October that voters were able to participate repeatedly and there were falsified votes.[25] Another point of controversy was turnout. ČSSD expected that masses of people would participate but the turnout was much lower.[26]

References
  1. "ČSSD vyzývá: Vyberte nám prezidenta". iDNES.cz. 22 October 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  2. "Prezidentské referendum ČSSD končí". Kurzy.cz. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  3. "Referendum posouvá na Hrad Zemana". iDNES.cz. 29 November 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  4. "Prezidentské referendum ČSSD". Kurzy.cz. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  5. "Skončila anketa ČSSD o návrhu kandidáta na prezidenta". www.sds.cz. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  6. "Do referenda ČSSD jde nakonec pět kandidátů, mezi nimi i teolog Trojan". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). 16 October 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  7. "Zeman prezidentem? Má šanci". iDNES.cz. 18 June 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  8. "ČSSD řeší, zda má být Zeman prezidentem". iDNES.cz. 15 July 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  9. "Bureš: Chci být příštím prezidentem". iDNES.cz. 9 September 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  10. "ČSSD rozpoutá kvůli kandidátovi kampaň". iDNES.cz. 26 September 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  11. "Rytíř z Vysočiny". iDNES.cz. 30 September 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  12. "Souboj o příštího prezidenta začal". iDNES.cz. 1 October 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  13. "ČSSD má pro Hrad nového kandidáta". iDNES.cz. 2 October 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  14. "ČSSD vyzývá: Vyberte nám prezidenta". iDNES.cz. 22 October 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  15. "Motejl míří na Hrad". iDNES.cz. 4 November 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  16. "Prezidentské referendum ČSSD končí, vede Zeman". iDNES.cz. 25 November 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  17. "Otakar Motejl má z kandidátů na prezidentský úřad zatím největší důvěru veřejnosti". Stem.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  18. "V přímé volbě prezidenta by asi vyhrál Klaus nebo Pithart". kurzy.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  19. "Názory veřejnosti na způsob volby prezidenta". Stem.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  20. "Část ČSSD dál tlačí Motejla na Hrad". iDNES.cz. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  21. "Zeman: Držím slib, do první volby nejdu". iDNES.cz. 2 December 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  22. "Předsednictvo ČSSD navrhlo Bureše". iDNES.cz. 5 December 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  23. "Radio Prague - Presidential candidates step forward as Vaclav Havel's term draws to an end". Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  24. "Second presidential election in Czechia , 24th January 2003". Robert-schuman.eu. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  25. "Jak lze podvést prezidentské referendum". iDNES.cz. 23 October 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  26. "Pád akce referendum". iDNES.cz. 13 November 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
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