Asked about the HDZ's advantages in relation to the SDP, Sanader said that they were obvious, that at the end of its term his government was launching the implementation of major projects, such as the e-SPIS project, as a strong proof of its determination to fight corruption in the judiciary and all other segments of society.
"We are moving on, we are a political force which even at the end of its term has the strength to implement radical changes in all segments of society, as well as to fight its opponents," Sanader said.
He added that this was something that the SDP and its coalition partners did not have in 2003.
Asked why he did not congratulate the SDP on the election of its new leader, Sanader said that it was not common democratic practice.
"Let's understand that each party in Croatia pursues its own policy, elects its own leadership and platform, and this has nothing with communication between parties because we will be meeting and fighting during the election campaign," Sanader said.
The HDZ leader went on to say that the HDZ did not send a representative to Sunday's convention of the People's Party (HNS) because it believed it would be hypocritical to wish success to a party one wanted to defeat.
Asked why the HDZ had called a special news conference on the election of the new SDP president, which Milanovic interpreted as a sign of fear in the HDZ, Sanader said the conference was called at the request of the press.
"If we had not responded, everyone would ask why we had not done it. We responded because the SDP is the second strongest party in Croatia and we believe it is normal for the HDZ to comment on it."
Transport Minister Bozidar Kalmeta was asked by reporters earlier in the day to comment on a scandal involving his driver, who is suspected of blackmail, as well as on requests from the Opposition for his (Kalmeta's) replacement.
The minister said that attacks by his political opponents had not jeopardised his ministerial position.
Asked about Milanovic's statement that he should resign, Kalmeta said that resignation was something Milanovic should demand from his associates who were involved in scandals and lost the last elections.