The main Candidates included Petr Nečas, Jan Zahradil and Mirek Topolánek.

[5] In early November 2002, Mirek Topolánek and Miroslava Němcová announced their candidacy.

[7] Petr Nečas and Jan Zahradil were considered main candidates for the chairmanship as they were supported by strongest regional organisations.

Nečas then received nomination from Moravia-Silesia which was Topolánek's home regional organisation.

Conservative candidate Petr Nečas called for strong fight against left and for more open cooperation with other right wing parties.

Liberal candidate Jan Zahradil stated that inner functioning of ODS should change and also called for cooperation with other parties.

[20] Klaus reportedly wasn't pleased by the result and was seen sending a text message in which he called Topolánek "absolutely dry hollow poplar."