On the last day before the deadline, HDZ submits its lists to State Election Commission.
By noon Saturday, the last day for submission of electoral lists, the State Election Commission has received about 100 lists for 11 constituencies and 20 candidacies for the election of MPs representing national minorities. Among the parties which submitted their lists on the last day was HDZ, reports Večernji List on August 13, 2016.
HDZ president Andrej Plenković rejected claims that HDZ’s lists had provoked a rebellion in some local party organizations. “There were no revolts, indeed, the process was very transparent, inclusive, and all proposals for candidates came from local organizations. I think we have good candidates, we have people with experience, both from local and national level, and several partners. I think it is a good mix that voters will recognize, along the lines of our key message which is that we want to return credibility to HDZ”, said Plenković.
He confirmed that Željko Glasnović withdrew from HDZ’s list for the eleventh constituency, which elects 3 MPs representing Croatian citizens living abroad. “Mr. Glasnović yesterday sent us a letter saying he would not be a candidate. I was sorry to hear that”, said Plenković. He also confirmed that in two constituencies candidates from conservative HRAST party would be included on HDZ’s lists, but their party affiliation will not be mentioned on the ballots. “We are not trying to cheat the voters. We have a political agreement between HDZ and HRAST”, added Plenković.
He also dismissed complaints made by former Knin Mayor Josipa Rimac that there was no one on HDZ’s lists from the area between Gospić and Sinj . “Mr. Milinović is from Gospić, as far as I know. As for candidates, we have followed suggestions from local party organizations. Unfortunately, there were no candidates from Knin and we were not able to do anything that would go against the decision of the county organization”, explained Plenković.
Interestingly, during the official handover of the lists to the State Election Commission, Plenković was not accompanied by deputy party president Milijan Brkić, who will run in the second constituency, but at the very bottom of the candidate list. Plenković replied that, as far as he knew, Brkić was in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
HDZ president said he was satisfied with yesterday’s debate with SDP president Zoran Milanović. “I think it was a pretty good debate, it lasted a little bit longer than was planned. I think it is good to raise the standards of democratic culture and dialogue in Croatia and I hope that voters had the opportunity to hear the views of HDZ and SDP”, he said. He announced that HDZ would on Wednesday formally present its electoral manifesto, in which the key areas are economy, competitiveness, jobs, demographic renewal and social justice.
