Racan Spends Night Peacefully, But Still Critical

The SDP headquarters said that Racan had spent the night peacefully, but despite all intensive treatment measures, there is no improvement.

- I did not go to Rebro to visit Racan and there is no point in going now. I am sorry that I did not go sooner - Zdravko Tomac, Racan's long time friend and close associate, said with sadness in his voice. He turned up at the SDP headquarters in Zagreb.

- I have been Racan's closest associate for some ten years and I am having a hard time. Only when a man leaves do you find out how much he means to you. Racan led this battle in a dignified manner, the same as he led the party - Tomac concluded in his brief statement to the press.

According to the SDP headquarters, Ivica Racan spend the night peacefully. Still, despite all the intense medical measures, there is no improvement of his health. 

Milanka Opacic from the SDP headquarters spoke to the media, confirming that Racan's condition was still unchanged, but that he did not suffer any pain.

She also commented on speculation in the media about fraction clashes within the party. 

-- There are no fraction clashes in the party. That is the product of you media. The SDP is now concentrated on elections – said Opacic, adding that the SDP had been readying for the election for some time now and that it intends to win.

But, before the elections, the SDP faces a party convention to elect the new party president.

-- The decision on the convention will be reached on the 21^st. The SDP will try to have this over with as soon as possible so it can return to preparations for elections – Opacic said.

Ivica Racan’s health is extremely poor since Wednesday evening. The metastases are spreading all over his body – the brain, lungs, bones – and Racan until recently suffered terrible pain.

The doctors speak about a galloping tumour that is leaving the former SDP chief unconscious for most of the time. The prognoses from the Rebro hospital are not at all optimistic.