HDZ president Andrej Plenković spoke about recent incidents in Knin and other issues.
HDZ president Andrej Plenković condemned “all provocations which took place in Knin”, while he praised the speech given in Knin by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović at the celebration of the 21st anniversary of operation Storm, rejecting claims that the President had involved herself in parliamentary election campaign, reports tportal.hr on August 7, 2016.
“The President made an appropriate speech. Comments coming from politicians from the left of the political spectrum and some commentators try to insinuate that she is helping us in the election campaign. The campaign has not yet started, and her speech was good, adequate and stateswoman-like, as it should be”, said Plenković at a press conference where he announced that Ivan Kirin, who was an MP from HSP AS, had decided to cross over to HDZ. HSP AS and HDZ were part of the Patriotic Coalition at the last elections, but HDZ decided against continuing their cooperation. “We share the same views and principles. I have made this decisions because Croatia needs a different direction”, said Kirin, adding that debates in Parliament cannot be conducted at an ideological level.
Asked whether HDZ condemned Ustasha slogans and songs that were heard at the celebrations in Knin, HDZ president said that they condemned “all provocations”. “HDZ has always condemned all provocative acts when we celebrate the most important day of our modern history, the Victory and Homeland Thanksgivings Day. All provocations on that day are not directed towards the increased stability of Croatia nor do they contribute to good-neighbourly cooperation”, said Plenković. He condemned the burning of Serbia’s flag in Knin and added that the police had responded properly.
Plenković would not comment on misdemeanour charges which were reported by police against singer Marko Perković Thompson. Talking about elections, he reiterated that HDZ expected to win. “We are a key centre-right party and in this way we will attract greater voter support than before”, said Plenković, satisfied with polls which show an upward trend for his party.
Plenković reiterated that HDZ’s candidate lists had still not been defined and said that this would be done prior to the legal deadline.
