"If anyone intends to support other options in elections, the doors are open.” said Plenković on March 25, 2017
The official election pages for the Mayor of Zagreb and Zagreb Council published complete lists of candidates for local elections on Friday. The list of independent MP Bruna Esih cites Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) MP Zlatko Hasanbegović, former Culture Minister. Esih was elected to Parliament on an HDZ list, choosing later to be an independent MP, with close ties to the right-wing section of HDZ. What this means for the future of Hasanbegović in his party is currently unknown, but a statement by Andrej Plenković from a month ago is significant, Jutarnji List reported on May 6, 2017.
“I expect from Hasanbegović and all HDZ members in Zagreb to firmly and actively support Drago Prgomet as our legitimate, quality candidate who will achieve a great result for himself and HDZ in Zagreb. Those who might potentially work against our candidate will face consequences. If anyone intends to support other options in elections, the doors are open.” said Plenković on March 25 after Bruna Esih announced her candidacy.
This political “transfer” comes at an especially uncomfortable moment of potential rearrangement of government after MOST was chased away. Although both Bruna Esih and Zlatko Hasanbegović voted to keep Minister Zdravko Marić several days ago, question is what their position will be after the local elections. Whether Plenković will stay true to his words or whether he will negotiate in order to gain the much needed parliamentary majority support are factor which remain to be seen. The Esih list also cites independent MP Željko Glasnović.
At a public event on Saturday in Zagreb, where citizens demanded for Marshal Tito Square to be renamed, Esih, Hasanbegović and Glasnović were greeted with ovations. Hasanbegović stated he does not expect to be ejected from HDZ for his candidacy on the list of Bruna Esih.
“I do not expect this, but we will discuss everything next week,” said Hasanbegović, while Bruna Esih did not want to comment.
Davor Božinović, head of the Office of PM Plenković said on Saturday that HDZ did not know Hasanbegović would be a candidate on Bruna Esih’s list and that the issue will be discussed by HDZ bodies. He pointed out nothing is automatic. “HDZ is not a court martial; the Statute does cite this as a reason for termination of membership, but the decision is made by relevant HDZ bodies and they will discuss it,” said Božinović.
