[ELECTIONS 2003] Latest Changes

According to the returns published at 4:00 CET, there were slight changes in the breakdown of seats. HDZ lost 1, while HSLS-DC gained 1. Another interesting development is entry of HDSS, small party led by Ivo Lončar (Ivo Loncar), one of the most colourful members of 2000-03 Sabor.

Before 2000 Lončar used to be editor of agriculture show on Croatian state television. In one of his broadcasts he dared to criticise agricultural policy of HDZ and promptly got sacked for his efforts. That made him a martyr and HSS quickly used opportunity to field him as their candidate on 2000 elections. Once in Sabor, Lončar soon fell out with HDZ chairman and Sabor speaker Zlatko Tomčić (Zlatko Tomcic). He began siding with right-wing opposition and it doesn't take rocket scientist to conclude that he chose HDSS – (Hrvatska Demokratska Seljačka Stranka /Croatian Democratic Peasant's Party) – one of many HSS dissident outfits – as an expression of disdain for his former political mentor.