In line to the throne were Imperial Prince Tamehira and Emperor Enyu, who were the maternal brothers of Emperor Reizei, the son of Emperor Murakami and Empress FUJIWARA no Anshi.
候補は村上天皇と皇后藤原安子の間の皇子である冷泉天皇の同母弟の為平親王と円融天皇であった。