Civic Democrats elect new leader

The Civic Democrats (ODS) have elected a new leader on Saturday, bringing to an end Petr Fiala’s 12-year tenure. Around 550 delegates attended the party congress in Prague. Former deputy leader Martin Kupka, backed by 11 regional nominations, has won the vote, beating Radim Ivan, deputy mayor of the Ostrava-Jih district.

Kupka, the former Minister of Transport, wants to build on Fiala’s work and today thanked Fiala for his service to the ODS. According to Kupka, the party must now focus on its role in opposition. Within the next few weeks, he will introduce a shadow cabinet following the Spolu coalition’s defeat in October’s parliamentary elections. ODS holds 27 seats in the new lower house.