Plenković slams HDZ MEP for his public outburst about internal party issues

The Croatian Prime Minister and HDZ Party President was asked on Friday to comment on claims from the HDZ MEP that his wife had been obstructed in her candidacy for the leading position of the Zagreb branch of the HDZ’s Women's Association, saying that he did not know what was going on, but that the MEP should tend to his work in European Parliament and not undermine his party colleagues.

While visiting Nova Gradiška today in support of the HDZ candidate at the May 17th mayoral elections, Prime Minister and HDZ party president Andrej Plenković sharply criticized HDZ MEP Tomislav Sokol who claims that his wife had withdrawn from running for president of the HDZ Women's Association due to pressure from within the party.

"Our colleague, who has been given the privilege of serving in European Parliament as an alternate MEP, because Mrs. Dubravka Šuica and I resigned our mandates - on a slate that won six of twelve mandates at the elections two years ago, should concern himself with the job he is charged with, which is to serve as an MP in European Parliament. If there exists a less intelligent way to gain recognition in a political party, especially the HDZ, then it is the unfounded public criticism of you colleagues in the City organization. I would remind him that if his life is somehow lacking in European Parliament, he can immediately vacate his seat and he will be replaced by Mr. Marko Pavić in line with the law on the election of MPs in European Parliament," Plenković said about the matter.

In a written response to the HDZ party leader, Sokol noted that he is pleased that the Prime Minister had no objections with regard to "program issues", emphasizing that this is confirmation for him that the HDZ is moving in a sovereign and conservative direction, adding that the Prime Minister has his support on that path.

"It is understandable to me that the party president wants to keep intra-party disagreements as an internal matter. We share the same sentiment because I have also been quite restrained in the interest of the party. A strong and invincible HDZ is also my wish, and by working on the Critical Medicines Act that will transform the European pharmaceutical market and the Industry Acceleration Act, which is currently the most important legislative proposal on the EU agenda, I believe that I am contributing to our party and its reputation in European institutions. I am particularly pleased that the President had no complaints about programmatic matters in my interview, which I spoke about much more than about intra-party relations, which confirms to me that the HDZ is developing in the right sovereign and conservative direction. The party president has my support on that path," Sokol stated in the letter.

Source: HRT