European Forum

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader resigns

Today it was announced that Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has resigned and that after 20 years he is leaving politics for good. Sanader also resigned as president of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). As yet the reasons for his resignation are unclear, but speculation ranges from sickness of a close family member to a breaking scandal connected with government tenders.

At a hastily announced news conference today, Sanader told reporters: "My job has been done, my political life ends now." "I have decided to withdraw from active politics and not to run for the presidency", he added. He also confirmed he had been offered positions in EU institutions but said he had turned them down.

Sanader (56) took over the HDZ in 2000 after the death of Franjo Tudjman and steered the party from hard line nationalism to a moderate centre-right position. Since 2003 he has been Croatia's PM and had won a second term in November 2007, which would expire in two years. Sanader said he would recommend to President Stipe Mesic to appoint the deputy PM, Jadranka Kosor, to replace him. Sanader has been popular for years, and despite some setbacks his move was unexpected. Under his leadership, Croatia joined NATO in April 2009, and was making big steps towards EU membership until the border dispute with Slovenia stalled the process. During his time in office, owing largely to more moderate politics and opening toward the EU, Croatia recorded rapid economic growth and infrastructural development. Recently, however, Sanader faced growing economic troubles. The country's GDP fell 6.7 per cent in the first quarter -- the biggest drop in 10 years.


Sources: Croatian Times; Balkan Insight