"Colleagues, friends and comrades, faced with a serious illness, I am continuing my fight for life, and it is time for me to thank you for cooperation and support in my political work. I am proud of the Social Democratic Party that we have built together. I am proud of the values - moral principles, work, honesty and tolerance - that we have built into the political scene of our beautiful homeland. I did my best. Hereby I resign to the post of party president, leaving you to continue without me. Find new strength at an electoral convention, I am sure that the SDP has that strength," Racan said in the message.
Racan tendered his resignation in the presence of the highest party officials.
SDP vice-president Zeljka Antunovic called a meeting of the party leadership, and statements for the press are expected this afternoon.