Mesic told the press he met with opposition leaders last night, Ivica Racan of the Social Democrats (SDP), Zlatko Tomcic of the Peasant Party (HSS), and Vesna Pusic of the People's Party (HNS), to discuss the presidential polls.
Mesic said he would also meet representatives of the Istrian Democratic Assembly, several regional parties and associations to discuss models of support for his campaign.
The incumbent president said he had intended to fully personalise the elections but that something unexpected had happened, forcing him to change his strategy. "Given that on the other side I don't have only an opponent, but the Government, the prime minister and the entire HDZ, then it's clear that I can't go on with an undefined group".
Asked if PM Sanader should fire Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul over a conflict of interest scandal, and how much the scandal undermined the Government in the European Union integration process, Mesic declined to judge about the Zuzul case.
He said Zuzul had sent him a letter explaining in detail what had happened to the company of Zuzul's wife, but added that he was receiving information also from other sources.
"I believe the complete facts have to be established and decisions be made based on them, and then it's up to the prime minister to decide."
Mesic said the damage was done whenever financial wrongdoing was suspected, even if uncorroborated. He added the damage was smaller if the rule of law functioned and all were equal before the law.