Josipović: I expect a lot from Milanović, Grabar Kitarović abandoned European values

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Former Croatian president Ivo Josipović (SDP) said today that he has high expectations from the new head of state Zoran Milanović, who comes from the same political party, and that outgoing president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović contributed to retrograde politics.

"I have high expectations, because as a person he has serious capacities and in terms of his abilities and education he was an incomparably better candidate in the elections. His victory opens up great expectations, especially on the side of civic Croatia of the centre-left," Josipović said for Croatian Television.

Regarding the mandate of the outgoing president, Josipović said that the policy she pursued was "not at all sympathetic" to him.

"She contributed to a retrograde policy, returning Croatia to the past and abandoning some European values. She conducted a foreign policy that was not good when it comes to relations with neighbours," Josipović emphasised.

The former president also assessed that Croatia is deeply mired in populism at all levels and that the flare-up of corruption is a heavy burden.

According to his words, the president cannot judge someone, but with his stance he can do a lot in the fight against corruption.
        The new president of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, will tomorrow take over the five-year mandate from the outgoing head of state Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, whom Milanović, as the candidate of centre-left parties, defeated in the second round of elections on 5 January.