Party veteran Benda suggests Martin Kupka’s ODS chairmanship may end after ten months

At the ODS headquarters in Prague, veteran lawmaker Marek Benda told journalists that the party’s electoral outlook could soon make speculation about Martin Kupka’s removal a reality. He pointed to recent polls showing ODS trailing behind STAN as the strongest opposition party. Kupka, who took over the chairmanship after Petra Fiala’s nearly thirteen-year leadership, has been praised for his work in local party structures but has not delivered strong results in municipal and Senate contests.

Party insiders also fault him for a perceived lack of ambition, noting that ODS and its coalition partner TOP 09 are defending nine Senate seats while Kupka considers five a success, whereas colleagues argue the goal should be at least seven. The comments suggest growing internal pressure for a leadership overhaul before upcoming elections.