Milanović's inauguration on 18 February at Pantovčak

(Patria) - New/old Croatian President Zoran Milanović announced today that his inauguration for the upcoming term will be held on 18 February at the Office of the President.

- The inauguration will be like last time and the time before that, and before that - on 18 February in Zagreb - said Milanović.

This is also the deadline for the new/old Croatian President to take the oath, who convincingly won the presidential election with almost 75 percent of the vote.

After deliberation and dilemmas, added Milanović, he decided that the inauguration will again be held at the Office of the President on Pantovčak.

- I was not 100 percent sure what to do, as I was sure five years ago. Honestly, I did not even convince myself of the soundness of any change of decision - said Milanović, answering the question of what he would do now on St. Mark's Square, if five years ago he was not there for the inauguration for his first term.

He added that many people call him with the wish that the inauguration be somewhere in a public space.

- However, I made the decision five years ago and I am simply bound by it. I believe the reasons for it are the same as they were five years ago.

It is a civil, formal ceremony, in which we do not celebrate a king, pope, cardinal, I don't know what, but a democratically elected civil president of the modern Croatian republic. There will perhaps be a few more people and that's it - stated Milanović.

Asked who he plans to invite, he replied that it will be some friends and some family members he did not invite.

- Except for my mother, niece and immediate family, no one was there (at the first inauguration) - emphasizes Milanović.

There will be no foreign dignitaries because it is, he said, "our party". He confirmed that he will send an invitation to the Government as well, and the Prime Minister, he says, responded what he responded and that is his right: "He won't come, he won't come!"

Asked how he took that, he repeated that, as for congratulations, he did not congratulate either.

- I am not the one who did not congratulate, someone who can call out someone for not congratulating - said Milanović.