ZAGREB, November 11, 2019 - Presenting her election platform for a second term in office on Monday, incumbent President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović said that she wants to be a factor of gathering and joining, a booster of new Croatian unity.
"Without you, my dear people, and without the support of Croatian citizens I would not be the president today. I am grateful to the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for nominating me and I firmly believe that all HDZ members want me to be a factor of gathering and joining, a boost to new Croatian unity," the president said.
She recalled that five years ago to the day she presented her election platform for a better Croatia, saying at the time that she would not be the president of any political party but of all citizens and that she would not shun from taking responsibility. "I said: I will be your president and I deeply believe that I have achieved that," she said.
She underscored that today, like then, she believes in Croatia and in every single one of its people, their values and potential and everything that distinguishes the homeland. She particularly underlined that she is proud of war veterans and everybody who gave their lives and health in defending Croatia.
"I was convinced then, like today, that together we can achieve a better future for us all," she highlighted.
"I believe that you have recognised that I am one of you and that I have proved that I am working and fighting for you," said Grabar-Kitarović, convinced that a better Croatia is possible.
Grabar-Kitarović's slogans for a new five-year term in the president's office reads, "The president, because Croatia knows," and "Optimism for Croatia."
Her election platform, "Croatia knows and must do better," consists of seven areas on which Grabar-Kitarović will work in her next term: Croatian development, Croatian identity, Croatian resoluteness, Croatian justice, Croatian democracy, Croatian security and Croatian optimism.
The president launched her election platform at the Zagreb Trade Fair Centre. Attending the launch were Prime Minister and HDZ leader Andrej Plenković, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić, incumbent ministers and people from all walks of public and political life.
HDZ president and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Monday called for strong support to President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović for her re-election, saying she was the best choice for Croatia, embodying optimism, excellence and industriousness.
With Grabar-Kitarović's victory, we will continue to pursue that policy in the interest of the Croatian state and people as well as all Croatian citizens, Plenković said at the presentation of the president's re-election platform.
He said Grabar-Kitarović had proved in all key challenges that she stood for and protected national interests in the best way.
"In the new programme, you recognise the challenges that are ahead of us and propose initiatives that are in the interest of the Croatian people and Croatia's all-round prosperity," Plenković told her.
The upcoming presidential election is important as it will determine Croatia's course and winning it is crucial for continuing to achieve our political goals and the excellent cooperation and synergy of all government components, from towns, municipalities and counties to parliament, the government and the president, Plenković said.
That is the strength of the HDZ and, with your support and trust, we will transform it into one more victory for our president, he added.
By winning the election, we will ensure the continuity of a policy which is based on our values - nation-building, patriotism, and Christian democracy, he said.
That is the true policy of the centre-right which is based on the political legacy of Croatia's first president Franjo Tuđman, who achieved a sovereign, free and independent Croatia with the support of the Croatian people and defenders, he said, adding that a huge majority of the Croatian people and citizens supported that policy.
A better, rather than a normal Croatia, Plenković said, alluding to the slogan of the SDP's presidential candidate Zoran Milanović.
"For them, it's normal to leave Croatian citizens 70 billion kuna in debt, which is more than all the motorways built in Croatia, to lose 40,000 jobs, freeze salaries and pensions, not use European funds for Croatia's development. The president and the government, working together, have changed that."
Today the economy is growing on sound foundations, without borrowing at the expense of future generations, we are cutting taxes and the public debt, we are generating a budget surplus, increasing investments, we have restored the investment credit rating, employment has never been higher and unemployment lower, Plenković said.
Grabar-Kitarović has made an outstanding contribution to every aspect of the protection of national interests as well as to initiatives for the demographic revival of the country, he said, adding that he especially appreciated her work on and contribution to the promotion of Croatia's economic interests and recognisability.
President Grabar-Kitarović has become a Croatian brand on the global scale, Plenković said.
We will continue to work together for young people, who are the country's future, their education and inclusion on the labour market, we will strengthen social solidarity with all vulnerable groups, pensioners, the disabled, and victims of any violence, he added.
Together we will reinforce the homeland security system, the army, the police, we will step up the security of our borders and provide for war veterans and their families, constantly protecting the dignity of the Homeland War, Plenković said.
Together we will always defend the interests of the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and strengthen the ties between Croatia and its expatriates, on which President Grabar-Kitarović has been working tirelessly, he added.
Thanks to the joint work of the government and the president, Croatia's standing in the world in stronger and more respectable than ever, Plenković said.
More news about presidential elections can be found in the Politics section.
