The principle of independence is very important for civil society and our organisation, because only by keeping distance from centres of authority can one exert influence on them and preserve dignity, said Martina Belic of the B.a.b.e.
The Women's Network of Croatia now has 46 women's associations.
The B.a.b.e. believes that it could not support Kosor even if she signed its platform because it would mean that the platform is rightist Christian Democrat, which is in opposition to the group's advocacy of the right to abortion.
"We apologise to Jadranka Kosor for her name being mentioned in the media because of disagreements in the Women's Network, although we know that this will not affect her nomination," the group's leader, Sanja Sarnavka, said.
The B.a.b.e. hopes that its decision to leave the Women's Network is not final and that it will continue cooperating with that coordinating body.
The Women's Network does not support any female or male candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, the Network's representatives said at a news conference today commenting on the HDZ presidential candidate's statement that she was supported by that coordinating body.
The Women's Network does not and will not support any nominee for a political position nor have we ever called on voters to vote for a particular person, the Network's coordinator, Bojana Genov, said.
She said the Network welcomed the fact that a woman was nominated for the presidential post, but that it was voters who would elect the president.
Asked to comment on the B.a.b.e.'s decision to leave the Network, Genov said she believed this was a misunderstanding which would be resolved soon.