Addressing a rally in the coastal town of Sibenik, Sanader said Kosor had marked the course of democracy and Croatia's struggle for independence over the past 15 years. He said that over the last year, in her capacity as minister and deputy prime minister, Kosor managed to realise what she had fought for in Parliament over the last eight years -- to return dignity to war veterans, families and all living on the brink of society.
Commenting on a statement about the Government recently made by the incumbent President and Kosor's opponent in the run-off, Stjepan Mesic, Sanader said that "nobody, not even Stjepan Mesic, will breathe down the Croatian Government's neck".
Sanader added that "nobody will change the Croatian Constitution for the needs of their election campaign because only the Croatian Parliament can do that".
Assessing Government performance, the PM said that its economic strategy was already yielding successes. He said that in 2004, the external debt was reduced by USD100 million, exports rose twice as fast as imports, and the tourist season was very successful.
The PM condemned the recent displaying of Chetnik symbols in the Vukovar area in eastern Croatia. He said the incumbent Government was committed to tolerance and reconciliation in line with the policy of Croatia's first President, the late Franjo Tudjman, and the messages of the Holy Father, but added it was resolutely against "the Chetnik rampage".
Kosor said she was happy to be running in the second presidential round despite announcements that Mesic was unbeatable and the fact that he was backed "by as many as 10 political parties united against the HDZ".
Kosor said she was certain of winning the run-off, announcing that the rest of her campaign would be stout-hearted, harsh and dignified.
She said that when elected head of state she would strongly fight for national interests and never forget who had attacked Croatia. She added she would defend the dignity of war veterans and their families, and not forget that the veterans were part of the victorious Croatian army.
Kosor said she would also defend Tudjman's dignity and historic role, adding that without his wisdom and veterans' courage there would be no Croatia or this presidential ballot.