ZAGREB, April 22 (Hina) - Political leaders refuse to comment on the re-election of Ivo Sander as president of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the strongest opposition party, with the explanation that they do not wish to get
involved in other parties' internal affairs. They did, however, comment on some stands put forward at a HDZ general assembly on Sunday.
ZAGREB, April 22 (Hina) - Political leaders refuse to comment on the
re-election of Ivo Sander as president of the Croatian Democratic
Union (HDZ), the strongest opposition party, with the explanation
that they do not wish to get involved in other parties' internal
affairs. They did, however, comment on some stands put forward at a
HDZ general assembly on Sunday. #L#
Commenting on the fierceness the incumbent authorities were
criticised with, the president of the Croatian Peasant Party,
Zlatko Tomcic, said it was logical for the opposition to criticise
the ruling structure and that this can be useful.
Tomcic ascribed the inappropriateness of some statements to the
fact that the assembly was an electoral one and was the scene of an
intra-party struggle for power.
"We are sorry about all the events surrounding that election since
it is evident that regardless of who has been elected, they will
have many problems in leading the party, and even more in creating a
democratic political option out of the HDZ," said Zeljka Antunovic,
vice president of the Social Democrats.
She pointed to the danger of the "undemocratic conduct within the
HDZ as such a conduct may be transferred to society" which, she
said, would represent a definite step backwards.
The Croatian People's Party (HNS) considers "the rhetoric of
exclusiveness and threats put forward at the HDZ assembly entirely
unacceptable," spokesman Boris Blazekovic said, adding that the
HNS believed the rest of the population also thought it
"incomprehensible."
"The HDZ has shown that it is not about to become a modern democratic
party but has remained the same and that it does not pose any sort of
threat to the ruling coalition," said Blazekovic.
Congratulating Sander on the re-election, the spokesman for the
Social Liberals, Josko Kontic, said he was confident all HDZ
members and Croatian politicians would acknowledge his victory.
Democratic Centre president Mate Granic maintained Sanader's
victory made the possibility of a right centre coalition at the next
elections seem very realistic.
The vice president of the Istrian Democratic Assembly, Damir Kajin,
said the biggest tragedy of the incumbent authorities was the fact
that the HDZ was becoming a very serious alternative.
Croatian Party of Rights vice president Miroslav Rozic said
Sanader's victory would help define the Croatian political scene.
8hina) ha sb