Official announcement of Vesna Pusic’s presidential candidacy was overshadowed by her accusation against another candidate, Milan Banidc, who was guest on HRT’s top rated show ‘Dnevnik’.

- I cannot swear that his performance was free - replied Pusic when she was asked to comment on the free appearance of Zagreb mayor in Croatia’s top rated show.

- I cannot swear that it was free or paid for, but it is interesting to note that no other presidential candidate received such treatment - explained Pusic.

She pointed out that the President of Croatia will not only represent our country for the next five years, but that he, or she, will ‘be’ Croatia in the eyes of the world.

The President should not be someone lagging behind our time

- I was often told that I was ahead of my time, but I think that our president should not be someone who is behind our time. I am talking about xenophobia here, the closed environment, clumsiness in relations with the neighboring countries, failing to understand that the state should serve its citizens, not rule them, and that all governments are temporary - said Pusic, but refused to say whom she was referring to.

Croatian citizens still feel a certain amount of insecurity, said Pusic.

- It seems to me that no one knows where this country is going, nor where it should go, or even if there is anyone who cares for it. Presidential elections are the right time to change this situation - she said.