ZAGREB, CROATIA - The new Croatian president should be a man of European orientation, who will be an anti-fascist – Croatian President Stjepan Mesic told Nova TV reporter Mislav Bago.

Although he assessed who can remain as the solid point of the system, Mesic still does not have a name of his possible heir who would meet his terms.

When asked if the next president should be from the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) or be a non-party person, Mesic replied that the elections could not be won without a big party.

- This is only possible under the condition that a large party supports the candidate or if the candidate breaks down these two big parties – Mesic assessed.

Vidosevic, Sanader or Milanovic?

The president must remain a solid point, he must be the correcting factor, he must be a man and courageous.

Stjepan Mesic

When asked if the president of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Nadan Vidosevic could be the new president, Mesic replied that Vidosevic was a man with great economy knowledge, who courageously spoke his mind and would thus make a good president.

- I can see [Croatian Prime Minister Ivo] Sanader as the president, but I think he is not preparing for it. He would have to lose the party, because after arriving at Pantovcak [courters of the Croatian president], he can influence the party for a month or two, but not more after that – Mesic said.

At the same time, he states that president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Zoran Milanovic would have to step out of the party if he runs for president, and the party would have to elect new leadership.

- Milanovic has a high rating in the Croatian public, he is very educated, understands international relations, because he worked in foreign policy – the Croatian president said.

As advice to the new president, Mesic says that the first man of the country must not be tied to a single political option, regardless of which political option he comes from, because the Constitution is behind him and he must uphold it.