Addressing an election convention of the HDZ Youth, Sanader said Mesic's recent statements showed he feared the HDZ, and that by attacking the HDZ presidential candidate Mesic revealed a premature nervousness.
"If the presidential campaign gets dirty, we are ready to call for a fair and affirmative campaign," said Sanader.
He announced the Government would call the elections in November and that citizens would most likely go to the polls on January 2.
Explaining why the HDZ leadership decided to nominate party vice president Jadranka Kosor the HDZ presidential candidate, Sanader said she demonstrated through her engagement and help to the most needy and most endangered strata of society that humaneness should precede politics.
"We are certain that this is why she will win, despite the results of various polls published in the media," said Sanader.
Addressing the HDZ Youth, he said Croatia was an equal member of the international community and independently decided about its destiny. He added Croatia's admission to the European Union would be an opportunity to prosper and not a danger.
HDZ Youth honorary president Kosor said she was confident of winning the presidential race. She announced she would advocate cutting the budget of the Office of the President of the Republic by 30-40 percent in favour of young people and high school students, better care for families with eight or more children, and giving war veterans back their dignity.
About 1,000 delegates attending the election convention re-elected Margareta Madjeric HDZ Youth president.