Yesterday’s Croatian Democratic Union’s (HDZ) Convention, which also saw criticism of Andrej Plenkovic, the current Croatian Prime Minister and the HDZ Leader, was commented by Iva Puljic-Sego from the Vecernji list daily and Drazen Curic, a freelance journalist.
“Yesterday’s Convention showed Andrej Plenkovic’s true position within the party. He had survived the Congress, but he is not the party’s favourite. There was no euphoria which usually accompanies the HDZ, there were no chants, no big applauses, flags… However, there were no inconvenient situations, as well,” Iva Puljic-Sego said. “The party is not gearing for a violent overthrow of the current leader, but election come Davor Ivo Stier is definitely ready to act.”
It was Stier, a former Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and the HDZ member, who criticized the current party leadership in his speech, which was interrupted several times by a big applause.
“Stier was a star of the Convention. This wasn’t his first good speech. He was critical when the Istanbul Convention (a convention against violence against women and domestic violence) was being adopted in the Parliament. Andrej Plenkovic is certainly aware that the gloves are off,” Puljic-Sego concluded.
Curic, however, believes that Plenkovic is still safe in his position.
“We’ve seen Plenkovic’s influence in the party. It’s not as he’d like it to be, but due to the current relations in the Government and the Parliament, I don’t think there is any danger that he’d be overthrown just yet,” Curic said. “As things stand now, the Croatian President (Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic – HDZ) and the Prime Minister will remain in office, but I’m not sure they will lead the HDZ during next general election.”
“Staying in power is important for HDZ. (Tomislav) Karamarko (the former HDZ Leader) had the party’s support for as long as he controlled the Government. When he failed to form the new Government, the HDZ disowned him. Plenkovic is in the lead because he is in power and through his position, he is able to satisfy the party needs,” Curic added. “Stier’s problem is that he is not prone to making partnerships. He stands on the side too much and he didn’t create a friendly critical mass in the party.”
