Although he will not become HDZ president until Sunday, Andrej Plenković is already attending party presidency meetings.
Preparations for intraparty and parliamentary elections and HDZ’s financial affairs were the topics which were discussed at a meeting of HDZ presidency on Monday, which was for the first time attended by the only candidate for HDZ president Andrej Plenković, reports tportal.hr on July 11, 2016.
After the meeting, Plenković said that he presented his programme and plan of visits to local party organizations. The presidency has reviewed the preparations for parliamentary elections and the progress of the working group which is developing party manifesto.
He also commented on potential coalition partners. “We have very clearly said that we are open for discussions and partnerships. This includes those who have so far been in the coalition, but also some new possible partners. We will be led by the principle of programme compatibility and similarities in worldview”, said Plenković and rejected media reports that some of the current coalition partners were going to be abandoned. Asked whether collaboration with HSP AS and HRAST would continue, he said, “They are all potential partners, and we will consider what was good in the Patriotic Coalition.”
He also commented on media reports that MOST, in exchange for possible cooperation after the elections, might demand that its leader Božo Petrov or some non-party person becomes Prime Minister. “The Prime Minister must have party electoral legitimacy. It is common for the main partner in a coalition to have Prime Minister”, said Plenković.
As for loans which PPD and other private companies gave HDZ, Plenković said that he considered the story to be concluded. “After the statements by the State Electoral Commission and the State Audit Office, this story is closed for me. Starting from 18 July, as far as the financing of party is concerned, we will be led by three principles. First, all the activities must be in accordance with the law. Second, decisions have to be made in a transparent manner and all members of the presidency must know how the party is financed. Third, decisions about financing must be made together”, said Plenković.
