A leadership election for the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) was held on 1 March 2019. The incumbent leader Jan Hamáček was elected for second term when he received 433 votes while 57 delegates voted against him and 11 abstained.[1]
Background
Jan Hamáček was elected party's leader in 2018 after its heavy defeat in 2017 election when Social Democrats fell to 7%.[2] The party then suffered losses in 2018 Senate and municipal elections.[3] Party's deputy Leader in Hamáček's rival in 2018 leadership election resigned on his deputy leader seat which led to speculation he could run against Hamáček.[4]
Hamáček received nomination from Hradec Králové regional organisation on 24 November 2018.[5] Pardubice regional organisation gave him its nomination on the same day.[6] Jiří Zimola received nomination from Ostrava organisation on 11 December 2018.[7]
Prague organisation held its meeting on 11 January 2019. It decided not to nominate Jan Hamáček.[8][9] Karlovy Vary organisation gave its nomination to Hamáček on 26 January 2019.[10]
Jiří Zimola, his candidacy was speculated after his resignation on Deputy Leader position.[4] On 25 November 2018 Zimola stated that he doesn't plan to run.[6] He later said that he will run if he feels support within the party.[12]