Zoran Milanović SDP's candidate for Croatian Prime Minister

(Patria) - Just a few hours after announcing the surprising election date, Croatian President Zoran Milanović unexpectedly appeared in the center of Zagreb at an SDP press conference, together with Peđa Grbin.

Croatian media report that Milanović will be the SDP's candidate for the prime ministerial position, and constitutional experts are unsure whether he should resign beforehand.

"Dear citizens, Croats, I have decided to run as an independent and non-party candidate on the SDP list in the elections for the Croatian Parliament, which will be held on April 17 this year.

After an election victory, which I am confident of, I will step down from my position as President of the Republic and, with the support of the new majority in the Croatian Parliament, take responsibility for leading the Government.

Until I assume my new duties, I will continue to perform my duties as President of the Republic of Croatia in accordance with my constitutional obligations and duties," Milanović stated on his Facebook profile.

The President of the Croatian SDP, Peđa Grbin, was the first to announce that Milanović would be a candidate for prime minister.

"I know there have been many criticisms against me, and that is why I will not be the SDP's candidate for Prime Minister in these elections," Grbin said today at a press conference in Zagreb's Marulić Square.

He then yielded the floor to Milanović, whom he introduced as the leader of the SDP list in the first electoral district and the future Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia.

Milanović called for the unification of individuals and parties and announced the formation of a government of national salvation after winning the elections.

"In the lives of each of us, there are moments when you need to step out of your comfort zone because you can't do it any other way," he said, emphasizing that his time had come "with the imposition of a certain Turudić".

"This is not the straw that broke the camel's back; it is the bucket that overflowed the septic tank of all the filth that has been suffocating our country for years.

All legal, legitimate, decent ways, and perhaps some less decent ones, and attempts to end and prevent this have ended with even greater tyranny, insolence, arbitrariness, and lawlessness.

The time has come, as my ancestors in Splitska Zagora would say, to saddle the horses," Milanović stated.

He announced that he would gather a parliamentary majority for a government of national salvation.

"Exactly - national salvation. And at full speed, we will start cleaning the Augean stables that AP and his gang have left behind. Entire rivers, just like in Greek mythology, will be needed to divert this and achieve it.

This time not the rivers of Hercules, Alpheus and Peneus, but rivers of justice. Rivers of justice are coming," Milanović said, quoting lyrics by Jure Stublić.

"I promise, as before, decisive and clean governance. We will expel thieves, oppressors, and their helpers and prevent their return, but this time for a long time," Milanović added.