HSLS LEADER BUDISA SUBMITS CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

ZAGREB, Dec 31 (Hina) - Drazen Budisa was the first to submit his candidature to the Electoral Commission for Croatia's presidential election, scheduled for 24 January 2000. The candidature of the HSLS leader was supported by signatures of 25,338 citizens. One of conditions for applying for the presidential election is that those who intend to run in the election must collect at least 10,000 signatures of citizens. Budisa was proposed by the coalition of his party, Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). If I do not believe in my abilities and strength I will not run in the election. I am sure that I will have the backing of citizens and defeat other candidates, Budisa told reporters on Friday after his candidature was presented to the Electoral Commission. HSLS President added that 30 years of his public political work would be sufficient references for the presidential candidacy. He recalled that in 1992 he had been a candidate for the presidential election, adding that he gained experience in the executive power as he was a member of the Croatian Government of National Salvation as well as in the legislature as he was a Vice President of Croatia's National Parliament House of Representatives. Budisa thanked to all citizens who signed his candidacy and activists who collected signatures. The Commission gave Budisa a receipt for having received 25,338 valid signatures with his candidature. (hina) ms