"To avoid any misinformation, those are retired generals, although many of them identify themselves as generals. They are not Croatian Army generals, but Croatian Army generals in retirement and as such they have every right to engage in politics. Since they expressed that wish while they were in active service, I made it possible for them to engage in politics (by sending them into retirement) and now they are using that opportunity," Mesic said when asked for comment on the announcement by some retired generals to establish a political party and participate in the next parliamentary elections.
Asked if they could take votes from the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Mesic said: "A few votes they certainly can. I don't know how many, but considering their message, I don't expect any major shrinking of HDZ membership," Mesic said.
A group of retired Croatian Army generals, including Ljubo Cesic Rojs and Marinko Kresic, have announced the possibility of founding a new political party whose name would include the name of the first Croatian president, Franjo Tudjman.