While the County Court was deciding on the destiny of six arrested in the Podravka affair, the leadership of the HDZ party was holding urgent meeting at the Trg Hrvatskih Velikana. The meeting was attended even by the honorary chairman and the former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader. Reportedly, one of the main subjects of the talks was the deputy prime minister and Minister of the Economy, Damir Polancec.

Prime Minister, Jadranka Kosor, did not want to confirm that Polancec’s dismissal was one of the subjects of the meeting.

- No! We talked about Andija Hebrang’s presidential campaign, some new ideas, but also surprises - Kosor said, refusing to reveal what those surprises might be.

On the issue of whether the coalition partners demanded Polancec’s dismissal, Kosor said that they did not.

- I have told you everything I wanted to tell you - Kosor responded after she was asked whether Polancec’s seat was safe.

A source from the Government claims that the main reasons for an emergency meeting was the affair in Podravka, attacks against Polanceca, and the potential consequences for Andrija Hebrang’s presidential campaign.

Coalition partners, led by SDSS members, Milorad Pupovac, asked the prime minister Kosor to solve the problem with Polancec prior to the parliament debate on deputy prime minister.

Polancec to be succeeded by a professional who will master the job quickly

However, the Chief State Attorney, Mladen Bajic, claims that there is no evidence that Polancec was involved with Podravka fraud, but that he may have known about it. Prime Minister Kosor did not support Polancec, which can be read as permission for Bajic to question Polancec.

We also learned that the Prime Minister did not approve of Polancec’s statement in which he said that he believes the Podravka leaders to be honorable and honest people.

- Not a word was mentioned on Polancec’s resignation, but Podravka ffair was widely discussed - said a source from the government, adding that the Polancec was “reserved, tame and sparing in his words” during the meeting.

- How could he not be, when he knows that everyone wants to see him replaced? Who his successor would  be, is still too early to say. Judging from the previous experience, they will select a professional who will master the sectors very quickly - the source believes.