"The date of presidential elections is prescribed to a large extent and cannot be but as defined by the Constitution," Sanader said at a news conference at which the party introduced its presidential candidate Jadranka Kosor.
"The dates the media have speculated about are correct, but this is a suggestion of the DIP which interprets the Constitution and the Law on Presidential Elections," Sanader said, adding that he would act in line with the DIP's instructions.
The date of presidential elections is not determined by the government, the government is in charge of formally calling the elections, the PM said, adding that he had consulted with DIP chairman and Supreme Court president Ivica Crnic and his deputy Jakob Miletic.
"We are not happy with the elections being held on a working day that will be a nonworking day," Sanader said, adding he would call on all political parties to initiate changes to the Constitution, because presently, as correctly interpreted by the DIP, the Constitution did not allow holding presidential elections at the same time every five years, but they had to be organised two months earlier each time.
The HDZ will therefore propose reaching a consensus to change the Constitution so that every presidential election does not have to be held two months earlier, the PM said.
Parties should reach a consensus on organising presidential elections every five years, on the first, second or third Sunday of the same month. Once this is agreed, it will be integrated into the Constitution, he added.
The media previously reported that the first round of presidential elections could be held on December 21 this year and a possible second round on January 4, 2005. Both days are Tuesdays.