Drunk Driving Croat Mayor Barred From Election
The mayor of Varazdin, northern Croatia, has been removed from an opposition election list after causing a minor traffic accident while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Goran Habush, who won big majority at the local elections in Varazdin two weeks ago, was included on the candidates list for the forthcoming general election by his party, the Croatian People's Party, HNS.
But on 11th November, while apparently drunk, he was involved in a minor traffic accident and objected to a police alcohol test. On being brought to hospital, a blood test confirmed that he had more alcohol more in his blood than law allows drivers.
Habush publicly apologised the next morning but refused to resign and his party initially said he would not be punished unless he repeated the offence.
But after days of sharp criticism Habush has been removed from the election list by his party, he will not have to resign his post as mayor.
Twenty days ahead of parliamentary elections in Croatia, questions of political credibility and confidence remain a sensitive issue.
Several bigwigs from the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, are under investigation for corruption including the former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader who faces trial for corruption and bribery.
Analysis
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A triple whammy of company insolvency, a growing annual deficit and a mountain of external debt threaten to overwhelm whoever takes power after December 4.
Days ahead of the vote on December 4, voters seem ready to hand power to a four-party, centre-left coalition – whose main plus point is that it isn’t the current government.
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Ruling party seems to be returning to classic nationalist politics with the passage of a controversial law on war crimes, but the shift is is unlikely to derail Croatia's EU accession in 2013.
With elections round the corner, and the polls looking dire, the HDZ leader is hoping that talk of the ‘Communist’ danger will rescue her sinking fortunes.
Key Contenders
The SDP leader is the pollsters’ favourite to win the election on December 4 but the jury is still out on whether the country will actually be voting for him - or just against the HDZ.
Two weeks ahead of voting day, few believe the embattled HDZ leader can pull off a victory. But none can dispute the energy with which she has tackled formidable challenges.
Interview
Former president Stjepan Mesic lambasts a dirty election campaign, foresees splits in the ruling HDZ - and describes the arrest of a former minister as the latest chapter in the rehabilitation of the Fascist Ustashe movement.
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