Antunovic: I Am Withdrawing

I refuse to make my candidacy for any post in the party of the government be an instrument to those who divide SDP, said Antunovic.

Social Democratic Party (SDP) deputy president Zeljka Antunovic said today how she “did not and does not wish to participate in media discussions on inner SDP issues”.

“It is my desire for SDP to win and supersede the poor and incapable HDZ authorities”

-The only thing I can do is to clearly state my positions to SDP members and supporters. I do not wish to be SDP`s candidate for the prime minister post – Antunovic said.

She points out that it is her desire for SDP to win at the forthcoming elections and supersede the poor and incapable authorities of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).

- I refuse to make my candidacy for any post in the party of the government be an instrument to those who are dividing SDP in the eve of elections- Antunovic explained.

She added that this was her duty to SDP and Ivica Racan, who is still fighting his final struggle and who obliged us to ensure the leading role for SDP and social-democracy in Croatia’s political life.

Milanovic: I do not wish to participate in discussions

Zoran Milanovic did not wish to comment on the surprising decision of the SDP deputy president, who is thought of as the possible new party president.

-I do not wish to participate in inner-party discussions and I have no comment to Zeljka Antunovic`s decision- Milanovic briefly commented.

On the other hand, Ratko Macek, the spokesperson of the Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, was without a comment on Antunovic`s non-candidacy for the prime minister post.

-I have no comment, SDP has shown these days what they are- Macek said.

SDP member Mato Arlovic also did not wish to comment on the decision of Zeljka Antunovic because, he says, this was her personally assessment.

Arlovic: Personalised politics means marginalisation of SDP

-Perhaps she is skeptical that she is not competent for the post, I do not know, it is difficult to say- said Arlovic.

Still, he pointed out during the conversation that SDP must, above all, create an entire programme with which it intends to face the elections and attract the voters.

-We need to define people who will make the election programme personnel-wise- believes Arlovic, adding that the time is right to speak of a prime minister candidate only when a team gathers, thus thinking of the potential SDP coalition partners, which will yield a person for the premier post.

Also, Arlovic believes, citizens must evaluate who would be most appropriate person from the team.

-If we are talking about personalised politics now, this would mean the marginalisation of the party- Arlovic said.