The press today quoted Brodarac as saying on Tuesday that by signing an agreement that is expected to end the HDZ's 15 year-long rule in Sisak-Moslavina County, the Croatian Pensioners' Party (HSU) had made it possible for the first Serb county to be established in Croatia.
The media quoted Brodarac as saying that Serbs had been elected to three leading posts in
the county and that Serbs "only need a handkerchief to start a wheel dance", an allusion to the Serb folk dance with the lead dancer waving a handkerchief.
Brodarac's statement has been condemned by numerous politicians who have described it as a fascist remark.
"The HDZ distances itself from such statements, there is no place for any kind of extremism in the party," government and HDZ spokesman Ratko Macek said today.
He added that party bodies would discuss the circumstances in which the statement was made and decide on possible sanctions.
Brodarac today denied having made the statement, saying for the central news broadcast on the national television that "nationality is a private matter of every person".