- I will return to HDZ in style. I am convinced that the next party president will invite me back because of the undemocratic, uncivilized and neo-communist way I was expelled – said Lika-Senj County prefect Darko Milinović yesterday at the conference dubbed “tthe Only Truth” which he organized after being expelled from the party on Monday.
Milinović criticized Andrej Plenković, the party president and the PM of Croatia, stressing that “HDZ has become a party of the center and center-left” and adding that HDZ is heading in the direction of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
- Plenković said that he knew where he was leading HDZ since the first day of his term. I applaud him for that. Today, HDZ is a party of the center and center-left as all the values of the center-right must be removed the same way I was – said Milinović. He pointed out that party president’s decision to adopt the Istanbul Convention proves this, as do the appointments.
Rejected
- I will name several people who were pushed to the side when it comes to making political decisions: former minister of foreign affairs Miro Kovač, the current MEP in the European Parliament Ivana Maletić and the minister of health Milan Kujundžić are only a few of the prominent party members that have been excluded.Though the Croatian MEP Bruna Esih was never a member of HDZ, the rest of the people I named and I brought the HDZ close to 150,000 preferential votes – said Milinović and called on party members not to leave the party.
- HDZ has to be changed within – said Milinović and commented on his possible return to the Croatian Parliament, stressing that he will decide on that by the end of the year.
Proud to have been expelled
- My role in the Parliament is surely exaggerated. Will the ruling majority drop from 77 MEPs to 76… Currently, Plenković has the support of close to 80 MEPs. Me returning to the Parliament would not have contributed to the stability of our Government. I will decide by the end of the year. I took the helm of the County when its debts stood at HRK 4 million and I will bring the figure down to 0 by the end of the year. I want to wrap up that process and continue implementing projects. Anyone can see that the only possible stable Government at the moment would be one of the HDZ and the SDP. That is the end goal for Andrej Plenković, to bring the HDZ closer to the SDP. That cannot be allowed and early elections at this time would bring about such a government. If I was the one deciding on the Government, I would think carefully about my plans as there is a possibility of a large coalition between the HDZ and the SDP – said Milinović. He pointed out that he is proud to have been expelled from Plenković’s HDZ and added that he received many messages of support.
- I am proud to not have been expelled from the hearts of those who make up the large family of the HDZ, some 200,000 people – said Milinović and added that the party that its founder, late President Franjo Tuđman would have been proud of.
- In 1990-ties, our general Branimir Glavaš spoke between the lines against the first President at the party meeting. Tuđman wanted to remove him from the stage, but Glavaš stood strong because he maintained his position and the president did not expel him. On the other hand, Plenković said at the Main Committee meeting that HDZ should not be held hostage by one person, at the time it was Tomislav Karamarko, and he was not expelled from the HDZ. The party was far more democratic back then – said Milinović.
He pointed out that documents show how undemocratic the ways of the party were. He reminded that Article 10 of the rules on intra-party elections clearly states that disciplinary processes cannot be started against HDZ members who are candidates before the end of intra-party elections. He noted that, until recently, he was convinced party secretary Gordan Jandroković was pulling the strings in Lika-Senj County, rather than Plenković, but revealed that this idea was dispelled over the last days.
He is offended
- Elections were postponed three times and it is clear why – to save Andrej Plenković from the first serious political defeat since he took over HDZ helm – said Milinović. He added that this was followed by party president’s scandalous statement that the will of the people must be ignored.
Milinović said that he would prefer if County Assembly voted against his budget as this would lead to elections.
- Should that happen, I will run with my slate and you can be convinced that I will win – said Milinović. He added that the possibility of remaining prefect until half of his term expires and then returning to the Sabor remains open, adding that his deputy would take over the County in that case. Milinović noted that he will organize independent election monitors who will stand in front of polling stations and count the number of voters.
HDZ reacted to Milinović’s press conference. Unnamed sources from the party pointed out that Milinović decided to expel himself from the party by persistently violating the statute.
- HDZ is continuing on its path as a modern party of center-right. It is interesting that the champion of abortion, as Milinović described himself in the media, is suddenly pointing to the Istanbul Convention – sources concluded.
Darko Milinović pointed out that he is proud to have been expelled from Plenković’s HDZ and added that he is proud to have received many messages of support. He noted that “this is not Tuđman’s HDZ as that was far more democratic.”
It is interesting that the champion of abortion, as Milinović described himself in the media, is suddenly pointing to the Istanbul Convention – HDZ noted.