1996 Civic Democratic Party leadership election

A leadership election for the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) was held in the Czech Republic on 9 December 1996. Václav Klaus was reelected leader of ODS. Election was part of 7th Congress of the party. Klaus received 249 votes of 295.[1] It was the last time when leader was elected for one-year term.[2] Christian Democratic Party was merged with ODS at the congress. Delegates also voted in favour of change of political style.[3]

9 December 1996
Turnout	95.8%
Candidate Václav Klaus Electoral vote 249 Percentage 81%
Leader of ODS before election Václav Klaus Elected Leader of ODS Václav Klaus

Klaus' victory wasn't as decisive as in previous elections which was considered a sign of tension within the party. Some members of the party delivered critical speeches during the election. This includes Jan Ruml and Josef Zieleniec.[4]

References

1. "Volba předsedy ODS v historii: jednoznačná záležitost". TN.Nova.cz (in Czech). 20 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
2. "Radio Praha - Denní souhrn zpráv". Radio Praha (in Czech). Retrieved 10 July 2017.
3. "Pokus ODS překonat únavu a stagnaci". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). 9 December 1996. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
4. Pšeja, Pavel (April 2004). "ODS jako hlavní "dědic" OF a "agens" stranického systému ČR (1991-1998)" (PDF). Politologický Časopis (4/2004): 464. Retrieved 10 July 2017.