"The SDP and Croatia have lost a man who left an indelible imprint on our lives and the history of this country. Until the end, his life was filled with the battle for political goals which focused on man, his happiness and well-being. Ivica Racan was one of the most influential Croatian politicians whose credit for Croatia's transformation into a modern democracy is immeasurable," read the press release.
The SDP recalled Racan's walking out of a congress of Yugoslav communists in Belgrade, calling and organising the first free multiparty elections in 1990, and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power to the election winner, which provided the foundations for modern Croatian democracy and also paved the way for Croatia's independence.
The press release said that Racan's 2000-03 cabinet decisively opened Croatia to the world and took it on the path of European integration. "That government strongly expanded human and civil rights and democratic freedoms."
The party recalled that Racan was elected to the Sabor at all parliamentary elections and that he chaired the national committee monitoring accession negotiations with the European Union.
The SDP underlined that Racan headed the party since its establishment and deserved the most credit for the creation and strengthening of social democracy in Croatia.
The party said that a book of condolence would be opened at SDP headquarters on Iblerov Trg square during the day and that it would inform the public about a commemoration and Racan's funeral on time.