According to Kosor's speech at this event, at which HDZ slates for 11 constituencies were presented, the HDZ is entering the election campaign positive that it will win the 4 December election and reaffirm its status as a historical, the biggest and a victorious political party in Croatia.

The HDZ is entering the election campaign so as to lead Croatia in the next four years and serve the Croatian people and all citizens in the country, Kosor said.

"We are proud of what the HDZ has done since Croatia's independence, we are proud of our deputies who, on 25 June 1991, voted for an independent, sovereign and democratic Croatia in the Croatian parliament, contrary to those deputies who left the Sabor and did not want to raise their hands for an independent Croatia ... and who have never wanted a free Croatia," she said.

Kosor said that the HDZ had been at the helm of Croatia when it had gained its independence and defended itself in the war, as well as when it entered international institutions, became a NATO member and when it finalised its European Union accession negotiations earlier this year.

The HDZ has also shown the strength in the struggle against corruption and crime over the last two years and it "has been the first and still the only one" in that struggle, which she said "the citizens will recognise and reward".

Kosor's speech was interrupted by shouts of "Victory" from HDZ slate candidates attending the Jarun gathering, marking the beginning of the HDZ campaign.

After the gathering, Kosor, accompanied by party colleagues, boarded a bus decorated by HDZ insignia and colours and embarked on the campaign trail.