Bloggers: Croatia's Sanader, captain of a sinking ship

08/01/2010

The mystery behind former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader's resignation and comeback attempt provide fodder for speculation.

By Marko Biocina for Southeast European Times in Zagreb -- 08/01/10

Former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader [Getty Images]

Six months ago things looked good for then Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader. He was at the helm of the government as well as the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), which he led to two consecutive victories. Sanader's popularity during a six-year stint as prime minister remained high despite Croatia's major economic and corruption scandals.

Yet he abruptly resigned in July for unknown reasons. His ratings plummeted within days and he faced widespread accusations of betraying and deserting the country in a time of need.

It is no surprise, then, that Sanader's attempt at a political comeback failed. Successor Jadranka Kosor and a majority of party colleagues didn't want him to regain political influence. In a swift response to Sanader's criticism of the HDZ and the government at a unilaterally organised press conference, Kosor announced Sanader's expulsion from the party.

Just as Sanader refused to give an explanation for his resignation, he was equally mysterious about the comeback attempt. The blogosphere instantly buzzed with speculation.

Marshal described Sanader as a "captain who has left the sinking ship". He explains, "the ship is nearly sunk, so the captain came back to finish it off."

But many believe that Sanader intentionally tried to execute himself politically. generally argues "the real reasons behind his actions will get their real political dimension only after the parliamentary elections, which will happen very soon."

Others offer conspiracy theories. nemonimus speculates Sanader's actions came as result of "a deal between the political elites and the creation of virtual chaos to provoke early parliamentary elections and by doing so, avert the public's attention from the problems Croatia will be facing in the near future".

However, many don't find it likely that Sanader's moves were staged. zoranostriczelenalista asks "what could Sanader possibly gain from such a arrangement, except the fact that he lost his position as an honorary party president?"

For those who suggest Sanader's intent was to avoid criminal prosecution for several recently discovered corruption cases by gaining legal immunity, drlesar has news. "That's wrong. Imunity can't serve as protection from legal prosecution, because it can easily be revoked," he says.

Regardless of the reason, Sempercontra views the end result as a problem for Croatia's opposition. "It is a victory for Prime Minister Kosor, which will raise her political ratings. If she now manages to lead Croatia to EU membership, the opposition has no chance to come to power."

But there are still those who don't count Sanader out just yet. PalacGoree argues that "Sanader still has strong support among the party members and this must not be forgotten."

Finally, many Croats think Sanader's comeback was intended to help the HDZ presidential candidate in the ongoing elections. Feniks says, "Sanader's blow to the HDZ and Jadranka Kosor was primarily intended to get the party presidium to endorse presidential candidate Milan Bandic and oblige all of the party members to vote for him in the second round".