Milanović starts strongly: We will stop the Croatian tragedy

(Patria) - President of Croatia and SDP candidate for Prime Minister Zoran Milanović and SDP President Peđa Grbin, from the session of the party's Main Committee, stated that they will stop the Croatian tragedy and that on April 17th, freedom will dawn in Croatia.

"I started in good faith and with good intentions, and in the first elections in 2020, I behaved more than neutrally. I was the first president who did not even go to those elections and cast his vote, because by doing so I tried to emphasize my independence and distance from daily political life. I did the same in the mayoral elections a year later, however, circumstances have changed. What you are deciding on today, and what the Croatian people are deciding on, was not possible in my head and heart two months ago," said Milanović, to strong and prolonged applause from the members of the SDP Main Committee.

"The case of installing a scoundrel at the head of the 'chief state jailer' has awakened in me defiance, sadness, anger, and great instincts of both a man and a wild cat. I don't enter every conflict without thinking, and I know that in that conflict I am not a bear and that I can be injured and can injure others. However, here there was almost no choice. Peđa says I can no longer do what they were doing, I can if they allow it, and it is up to you, thinking, justice-loving, and freedom-loving Croatian people, to say – you will not do it anymore, it's over," Milanović stated, after which loud applause followed in the hall.

"I trust the citizens, this is a fight for a government of national salvation"

"That train, that ride, that railway has departed, and grab a spot on the platform while there is still time, so you don't have to walk on the tracks. The constitution and laws are something we have built and always respected, but against force, clientele, coterie, clique, cartel, I can do nothing. I am here, I trust the citizens, your support, and all those who will be our partners, because this is a fight for a government of national salvation," he announced in an euphoric atmosphere at the SDP headquarters.

"The elections must not be lost, and all strength, will, heart, and mind must be given, and we have that. To win the elections and then take responsibility for the country, and for a long time, and human compromises will be needed," he said.

We hear, he emphasizes, a pathetic attempt to talk about some kind of violation of the Constitution. He says that he invited Plenković a year ago to adhere to the Constitution, to convene meetings of the supreme national security bodies because the services cannot work without guidelines, and he received the answer – 'The Constitution obliges us in normal times with normal people'.

"That is Andrej Plenković's stance on the Constitution. It won't work like that because the Constitution obliges us always, but not more than the Constitution, but not less either, the will of the people obliges us, and the feeling that something is deeply wrong, that it offends us as citizens and Croats or members of any minority community, because we have always united them and never divided them," he stated.

"What has happened since New Year's," he emphasized, "is a deeply cynical, brazen, impudent 'making a fool' of the entire nation, and no well-intentioned warning, no common-sense signal has helped, and Croatia has simply drifted away like a ferry, and we will stop that.

We will turn that ferry into a powerful, autonomous ship led by a government that will take care of Croatian interests, not the partial and personal career interests of certain types and a small number of people who sell themselves," he announced.

"This is seven and a half years of catastrophic government that is taking on elements of a Greek tragedy, and catharsis will follow, and without it, there is no end to the tragedy. We will stop the Croatian tragedy, and thank you all," concluded Milanović, with the lyrics of an American hit song - 'What a difference a day made in 24 little hours' and once again earned strong applause.

The SDP president stated that the decision for Milanović to be the candidate for prime minister was not made overnight. It is well-considered and here because we must all stand together in these elections and everyone must contribute. Everyone's contribution will build our house, which after April 17th will be better and will include everyone, even those who will not vote for us, he said.

He highlighted the key difference between them and the HDZ: We do not trample, we do not torment, and we do not divide. Croatia will once again become a home for all its citizens, regardless of who they are and who they are.

To those who yesterday stood on their hind legs and were on tranquilizers, he said that the SDP has always been a party of the Constitution and laws, which built institutions, therefore he also called on the Constitutional Court to make a statement. I call on the Constitutional Court to make a decision as soon as possible whether what is not prohibited by any article of the Constitution and laws is permitted. We will also address them legally, in writing, let them decide, but as soon as possible, said Grbin, announcing that they will respect the court's decision, whatever it may be.

We are not afraid of miserable tyrants and their servants, we are not afraid of verdicts, let them be whatever they will be, because history will acquit us in the end, he concluded.

Grbin called on the Constitutional Court to "make a decision as soon as possible whether what is not prohibited by any article of the Constitution is permitted?".

- We demand that they say so. So as not to delay, we will also address them in writing, let them decide as soon as possible, and we will respect the Constitutional Court's decision, whatever it may be, he emphasized.