Croatian Pensioners Party (HSU) has decided to cease supporting coalition government of Jadranka Kosor, thus depriving HDZ of one one of its coalition partners. Pensioners Party opted for such drastic move following the collapse of negotiations over austerity measures, namely unpopular "crisis tax" which would affect pensions.
HSU, which is nominally left-wing party and supporter of Stipe Mesić during 2005 presidential campaign, was HDZ partner since 2003 parliamentary elections. On 2007 elections they won exactly one out of 153 seats, at its departure won't endanger Kosor very much. She still enjoys tin, but relatively solid majority.
Furthermore, this isn't the first time HDZ lost its coalition partner. In 2006 Democratic Centre (DC) left the government, following the sacking of justice minister Vesna Škare-Ožbolt. This didn't affect Sanader and HDZ a little bit.
This time, however, with Sanader cruising the Adriatic on friend's luxury yacht while media crucifies its designated successor, departure of HSU doesn't look that harmless. Difficulties experienced with passing of controversial in vitro fertilisation law shows how precarious HDZ majority currently is. Furthermore, there is even talk about two other HDZ partners - Serb Indepedent Democratic Party (SDSS) and Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) - leaving HDZ coalition.
Departure of those partners would make Kosor's majority razor-thin and most commentators are getting convinced that Kosor would be forced to call early elections in couple of months.
Croatian media is currently speculating about serious rifts within HDZ ranks, with major news outlets taking or being percieved to take sides of opposing factions. Jutarnji list - which was until recently dubbed "Sanader's Ministry of Truth" - claims that HDZ abandoned idea of Andrija Hebrang, its right-wing leader as serious presidential candidate for 2010. Instead, Vladimir Šeks, who appear to run party after Sanader's departure, pushes Nadan Vidošević, telegenic Croatian Chamber of Commerce chairman (who used to criticise Sanader's policy) as more suitable candidate.
Kosor had to nip that story in the bud. She did it by contacting Večernji list directly and claiming that Hebrang remains as the only HDZ candidate. Nadan Vidošević, on the other hand, claimed to index.hr that he would run only as independent candidate.
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