ZAGREB DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT: JANUARY 5, 2010

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000008 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV HR SUBJECT: ZAGREB DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT: JANUARY 5, 2010 ¶1. (U) FORMER PM SANADER'S PARTY MEMBERSHIP REVOKED: In response to former Prime Minister Sanader's January 4 decision to return to active politics and in view of his criticism of the leadership of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ),PM Kosor announced on January 5 that the party had revoked his membership. The move, which came after an extraordinary meeting of the HDZ presidency, reportedly cannot be appealed. Kosor stressed that in addition to creating discord in the HDZ, Sanader's maneuver had threatened the stability of the government coalition and therefore required sanction. Sanader told the press that he accepted the party's decision "if it is to the benefit of HDZ." The decision received wide support within the party, the cabinet, and among coalition members. Recent polls indicate that the move also enjoyed strong popular backing. Following the ten hour session with the HDZ presidency, PM Kosor postponed meeting with the HDZ's coalition partners until January 5 and instead met with Interior Minister Vojislav Karamarko and Chief State Attorney Mladen Bajic. Some in the press interpreted the meeting as a strong signal that the GoC would continue to forge ahead with its anti-corruption campaign regardless of where it led, although Karamarko and Bajic did not make public statements following the meeting. In response to these developments, the opposition called for early party elections. However, President Mesic came out against the idea and furthermore expressed support for Sanader's expulsion from the HDZ. More details to follow septel. WALKER