Prgomet told Hina such a proposal was causing political damage to the party "because the rules can't be changed in the middle of the election process."
"Such a proposal is compromising the HDZ president as well and causing big political damage to the HDZ because it gives the impression that the entire procedure is irresponsible and frivolous. I'm afraid such a proposal is solely the result of a desire to stay at the helm of the HDZ at any cost, even for a few more weeks."
Prgomet welcomed Kosor's proposal that the party president be elected on a one-person-one-vote basis, saying that "Mrs Kosor has finally accepted part of what we candidates for the post have been proposing for months." He said presidents should be elected on this principle at all levels.
Another candidate for the post, Domagoj Ivan Milosevic, said Kosor's announcement was totally irresponsible towards the candidates and the party's members as well as "an attempt to stay at the helm of the party for a couple of more months at any cost."
He too said he advocated holding elections on a one-member-one-vote basis.
"Postponing the election date will certainly be poorly accepted by the public as well because we are expected to finally start doing our job as the opposition," Milosevic said in a statement.