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Špidla studied history at Charles University. After his graduation in 1976, he took up a number of jobs including menial as he refused to fulfil political obligations necessary for better-qualified ones; he also worked as an archaeologist. He is married for the second time; he has two sons from his first marriage and another two children acquired by marriage. His hobbies include cross-country and marathon running.
After the Velvet revolution he entered local politics in the town of Jindrichuv Hradec where he lived and immediately entered the re-founded CSSD. In 1991-1996 he served as the director of the local job centre. In 1992, he became a member of the Presidium of CSSD, in March 1997 its statutory Vice-Chairman, and in April 2001 Chairman of CSSD after its previous chairman Milos Zeman stepped aside. In 1996 he was elected to the parlaiment. From July 22, 1998 to July 12 2002, he held the post of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in Zeman's government. He was appointed as Prime Minister on July 12, 2002.
He was considered a part of CSSD's left wing (though he's strongly anti-communist) and a dry technocrat. Currently the government is trying, with big difficulties due to tensions within coalition and its bare majority in the parliament, to introduce reforms necessary to battle the growing budget deficit; however they are criticised by the opposition and pundits for consisting more of increasing taxes than cutting expenses and initiating economic growth. In foreign policy, Špidla is strongly Euro-optimistic.