Croatia: Sanader returns to the political scene
Overview:
Ivo Sanader caused a huge political upset last July when he stepped down as Prime Minister of Croatia and leader of the ruling HDZ without any explanation. After just six months he has decided to return to political life, potentially splitting the HDZ and destabilising the governing coalition. Sanader’s reason for returning to the political scene is (officially) the poor showing of the HDZ candidate in the first round of presidential elections recently. However, many see this as an attempt to seize back power from his successor, Jadranka Kosor. His announcement that he may seek to reactivate his parliamentary seat has caused a stormy reaction. The leadership of the HDZ has dismissed him from the party and withdrawn his position as honorary president. The majority of HDZ members and its coalition partners now back Kosor.