[6] Leader of ČSSD Vladimír Špidla said after 2002 legislative election that party will have its own candidate.

It led to speculations that such candidate could be Miloš Zeman who retired from politics at the time.

Some politicians such as Lubomír Zaorálek didn't like the possibility and wanted Otakar Motejl as party's candidate.

Debate about possible candidates led to speculations that party could hold a primary election to decide.

[11] On 1 October 2002 the candidates were Miloš Zeman, Jaroslav Bureš, Otakar Motejl and Rudolf Zahradník.

[20] Zeman agreed that he will not participate in the first round of voting in the presidential election,[21] with the party selecting Jaroslav Bureš instead.

[22][23] It was planned that Zeman would become the party's candidate in the second round of voting, taking over from Bureš.