ZAGREB, CROATIA – The first working news conference called for the first time since he won in the local elections for the fourth time passed peacefully for Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic with his standard phrases for the media such as “I am endlessly sad and unhappy”, “test my memory” and “you thrill me”. 

But apart from city issues such as the amendments of the city budget, the mayor could not avoid questions regarding the sudden resignation of Croatia’s Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, as well as questions relating to his possible running for the country’s president.

‘I work locally, but I think globally’

However, Bandic did not wish to give a concrete response to either of the two questions.

- I am still working locally and thinking globally. In my thoughts my view does not end at Mt. Medvednica, but further. I will answer that question on Sunday – Bandic said in response to a request to comment on prime minister Sanader’s resignation.

After reporters insisted for him to say why Sunday (the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, has an assembly scheduled for Saturday), Bandic still avoided replying:

- Well, ask me.

- Why Sunday?

- Well, ask me on Sunday.

- Where will you be on Sunday?

- In Zagreb. Ask me on Sunday, I will know more then – Bandic put a stop to persistent questions.

No answer about his running for president either 

Sanader’s resignation as prime minister and the HDZ’s Andrija Hebrang’s announcement he would run for president of the country spurred reporters to once again ask Zagreb’s mayor if he intends to run as president as well.

- For whatever Milan Bandic ran for, he won. I won in elections for Zagreb mayor four times in a row. I got the mandate from the citizens of Zagreb. I respect them – Bandic said.

- So, that means you won’t be running? – reporters asked.

- That is what you said – he retorted, leaving reporters without any concrete answer.

Milan Bandic did not have a heart attack!! 

Although he was not too communicative at the press conference, he did not refrain from commenting on a piece of information that conveniently leaked out during the drama in the Croatian government and Croatia’s ruling party.

Using the moment, somebody started stories about Bandic having suffered a heart attack, even though he was in a meeting at the city government alive and well in the morning, in a meeting before and after the news conference and in the SDP MP Club ahead of the City Assembly.

- I have a heart attack every morning from 6am to 7am on the sports court – Bandic said through his spokeswoman, Iva Mia Erak, when we asked her whether the information about his alleged heart attack has made its way to Bandic.