NEWS WATCH: Croatia Facing Turmoil as Prime Minister Suddenly Resigns
By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
Bos report
Download (MP3)
Sanader told reporters he decided to withdraw from politics after two decades not for health reasons, but because he wanted a new beginning in his life. He said important goals were realized under his leadership.
Prime Minister Sanader explained he is satisfied with “the strategic objectives that were achieved.” He said Croatia “became a member of NATO, the U.N. Security Council and is now on the doorstep to become a full member of the European Union.”
EU TALKS
Sanader said that despite his resignation, negotiations on EU membership could be completed within three months. The prime minister says he had the honor to serve the people in politics, but he added: “My job has been done, my political life ends now.”
Sanader made it clear he would not run for president in early 2010. He recommended that Croatian President Stipe Mesic name Deputy Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor to be the new prime minister.
Commentators have warned Sanader’s sudden departure will leave a political vacuum at a time when Croatia already faces instability because of the global financial crisis.
Croatia’s economy is not doing well and unemployment has risen steadily. The country’s gross domestic product plunged 6.7 percent in the first three months of this year, the largest drop in a decade. In addition EU entry talks are currently stalled because of Croatia’s border dispute with neighbor Slovenia.
REFORMS NEEDED
European Union officials have urged Croatia to settle Sanader’s succession “rapidly” and to continue with reforms needed to join the European Union.
That view is shared by neighboring Hungary, one of the most vocal supporters of Croatian EU membership.
Hungarian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zsuzsanna Matrai told BosNewsLife her country finds it crucial for Croatia to join the Union soon to create more stability in the Balkans.
“To help them, that is why we keep on giving advise [to Croatia] how to integrate, how to harmonize their legal system,” said Matrai. “We have always advocated for any kind of enlargement. Given our geographical situation we have been advocating the whole Western Balkan region, including Croatia.”
But the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office confirmed to Worthy News and its partner agencty BosNewsLife that a key meeting of the Croatian and Hungarian governments scheduled for Friday, has been canceled because of Sanader’s sudden resignation.
Croatia’s opposition Social Democrats have said the political turmoil shows it is time for early elections. The next parliamentary poll is scheduled in two years.(This Worthy News story also airs via the Voice of America network. www.voanews.com).