The mayor of Vukovar and deputy president of the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) party's town committee Ivan Penava said on Wednesday he was leaving the ruling party.

“First and foremost, this is an extremely difficult and emotional moment for us. It’s clear to everybody that we are leaving the HDZ and that we are not happy about it and that we actually hate the fact that we were forced, in this dilemma between fundamental values, human values and party obedience and discipline, to choose this,” Penava said at a press conference in the eastern town.

The president of the HDZ’s town committee, all of his deputies, the president of the party’s town council, all HDZ councillors and the presidents of all local organisations also left the party and will act independently.