Nearly six months following the still-unexplained departure from politics, for the umpteenth time, rumors about Sanader's 'second coming' are circulating. This time, it is believed that Sanader has gotten a bit worried over the growing number of anti-corruption investigations supported by his successor, PM Jadranka Kosor
"Put an end to your crusade against corruption or get lost", is approximately the ultimatum ex-PM Sanader gave his successor Jadranka Kosor last week, as he made a surprise public appearance on the anniversary of his predecessor in the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Croatia's first president, Franjo Tudjman. According to the Nacional news weekly, Sanader, against Kosor's will and wishes, came to pay his respects at the Mirogoj Cemetery and St. Stephen's Cathedral in Zagreb, last week, as a show of strength and to prove to Kosor that he was not scared to chase her off the political scene.
In addition, Sanader wanted to show Kosor that he still had some influence in the HDZ, and that if Kosor continues with her battle against corruption, a good part of the HDZ may rebel against her rule in the party. Rumor also has it that Sanader's pet and minister without a ministry, Bianca Matkovic, recently said "thank God that the boss is coming back".
Election or coup?
According to the Nacional, the HDZ faces two possible scenarios in the near future. The first sees Kosor holding emergency inner-party elections, but not before she strengthens her position in the HDZ, possibly by pulling heavy hitters Andrija Hebrang, Vladimir Šeks, Ivan Šuker and Petar Čobanković on her side.
The second possibility sees Sanader attempting an inner-party coup. This is as possible as it is banana-republic-like, given that Sanader still has loyal henchmen in the top of the HDZ. Formally, the party presidency could pass a vote of no confidence for PM Kosor and demand a new party convention. Although this would be difficult to pull off successfully, Sanader may be prepared to give it a shot in order to save himself and his people from further anti-corruption investigations.
However, a move like this would cause an even greater crisis in the country. The HDZ would no longer be able to count on their coalition partners and the Opposition could easily come in to power. At the same time, the HDZ would also push Croatia further away from the European Union, which strongly resents the former PM for his facilitating the explosion of corruption in Croatia.
