A leadership election for KDU-ČSL was held on 25 January 2020 following the resignation of the incumbent leader of the party

Marek Výborný Marek Výborný (born 10 July 1976) is a Czech politician, who has been serving as the Czech Minister of Agriculture in Petr Fiala's Cabinet since June 2023 and the leader of KDU-ČSL since October 2024. He was also the leader of KDU-ČSL betwe ...

. MP

Jan Bartošek Jan Bartošek (born 10 November 1971) is a Czech politician and member of the Chamber of Deputies for the KDU-ČSL since October 2013. He is one of the candidates for the 2019 Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party leade ...

, MP

Marian Jurečka Marian Jurečka (born 15 March 1981) is a Czech politician, who has served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs since 17 December 2021 and Minister of the Environment from November 2022 to March 2023, both in Petr ...

and MEP

Tomáš Zdechovský Tomáš Zdechovský (born 2 November 1979) is a Czech politician and businessperson. In 2004, he founded Commservis.com, a communications and PR agency, of which he was CEO until his election as a Member of the European Parliament in 2014. Since ...

announced were running to replace Výborný. Zdechovský withdrew from the race, and Jurečka then beat Bartošek, receiving 205 votes.

Background

was elected leader of KDU-ČSL in 2019 when he defeated

and

. On 30 September 2019 Výborný's wife passed away and Výborný became a sole parent of three children. Výborný stated that he will consider his resignation as the leader. On 19 November 2019 Výborný announced that he will resign as the leader of the party. Speculation about his successor started quickly afterwards. Representatives of regional organisations discussed Výborný's rivals from 2019 election

and

. MEP

and former party leader

Pavel Bělobrádek Pavel Bělobrádek (; born 25 December 1976) is a Czech Republic, Czech politician who served as the leader of Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party, KDU-ČSL from 2010 to 2019. Political career 2010–2013 In the 2010 C ...

were first to admit they consider candidacy. Governor of Zlín region

Jiří Čunek Jiří Čunek (born 22 February 1959) is a Czech politician who was the leader of the Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party from December 2006 to May 2009. Čunek was also deputy prime minister and the minister for Regio ...

was suggested by part of the party but he declined. Tomáš Zdechovský announced his candidacy on 2 December 2019. He stated that if he wins then he would resign as an MEP and would lead the party for next Czech legislative election. He also stated that he wants to open the party for people who usually don't vote for KDU-ČSL. Jan Bartošek then announced candidacy on 6 December 2019. Marian Jurečka announced his candidacy on 8 January 2020. He stated that his plan is getting KDU-ČSL to receive 580,000 votes in next legislative election. He would focus on topics such as decent Housing for young families and seniors. Leadership debate was held on 17 January 2020. First part of debate was about the direction of KDU-ČSL. All candidates stated they want KDU-ČSL to have stronger support than 6%. Zdechovský stated that party needs new impulse and new face. Jurečka noted that KDU-ČSL has to be readable for voters and should communicate better. Bartošek stated that his first step as a leader would be to meet regional leaders of the party to prepare strategy for regional election. Jurečka stated that he would focus on cheaper housing. Lidové noviny reported on 24 January 2020 that Jurečka and Bartošek are expected to advance to run off with Jurečka being front runner.

Česká televize Czech Television ( ; abbreviation: ČT) is a public television broadcaster in the Czech Republic, broadcasting six channels. Established after breakup of Czechoslovakia in 1992, it is the successor to Czechoslovak Television founded in 1953. H ...

held a debate of candidates on 25 January 2020. Candidates agreed that party should be stronger

Candidates

, MP. Bartošek stated that he wanted stronger female and young representation within the party. He wants to focus on ecology, fight against poverty, support of smaller businesses, science and education. He opposes coalition with ANO 2011 and supports cooperation with centre-right opposition. *

, MP and former Deputy leader. He announced his candidacy on 8 January 2020. He supports cooperation with centre-left parties. * Jan Horníček Member of Rychnov assembly. *

, MEP. He announced his candidacy on 2 December 2019. He offers more conservative view for the party and wants to focus on economy, transparency and brand building.

Declined

, former leader admitted to consider candidacy. He ruled out candidacy on 13 December 2019. *

, Senator and governor of Zlín region. *

Šárka Jelínková Šárka Jelínková (born 24 January 1968) is a Czech politician and social worker who had been Senator from Kroměříž from October 2016 to October 2022. In 2019 Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party leadership electio ...

, Deputy leader. She announced that she won't run on 2 January 2020. *

Štěpán Matek Štěpán Matek (born 14 May 1987) is a Czech politician and former deputy chairman of the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-ČSL). In 2016–2018 he worked as sales manager in Jablotron Company. In 2018 he w ...

leader of Liberec regional organisation. *

Jiří Mihola Jiří Mihola (born 1 June 1972) is a Czech politician and former member of the Chamber of Deputies for the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a ...

, MP.

Voting

Election is held on 25 January 2020. It was announced that Štěpán Matek was nominated alongside Bartošek, Jurečka and Zdechovský but declined to run. Zdechovský withdrawn from election on the day. Jan Horníček on the other hand announced his candidacy on 25 January 2020. Bartošek stated during his nomination speech that party should better sell its values and not go in government with criminally prosecuted politician. Jurečka stated that the KDU–ČSL should be more visible and confident. He talked against possible electoral alliance with the Civic Democratic Party or any other opposition party. Horníček stated that party should focus more on Ecology. Jurečka received 205 votes against Bartošek's 142 and became the new leader.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:KDU-CSL leadership election, 2020 KDU-ČSL leadership elections 2020 elections in the Czech Republic Indirect elections KDU-ČSL leadership election