[ELECTIONS 2003] Ultimate Fight and Elections

If Račan (Racan) loses this election, strength of the opposition is going to be lamest and least credible excuse. He would lose because he made serious miscalculations.

One of these miscalculations was taking Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović (Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic) on the ticket. From Filipović's point of view, that was wise decision – his place on the list is high enough to be secure even if SDP fares badly in 1st Electoral District. So "Cro Cop" is going to enjoy hefty Sabor salary for next four years and hefty Sabor pension for the rest of his life. He wouldn't have to risk his life and health in the rings any more. Being aware that even the minor slip-up can destroy athletes' career, taking new career in Sabor route was sensible decision.

Račan (Racan), on the other hand, probably didn't think that some of the more rabid Croatian right-wingers would rather support "Minotaur" – Filipović's Brazilian opponent in Sunday's Ultimate Fight match – than Croatian athlete. All that because they feel betrayed – "Cro Cop" was supposed to support HDZ, not "red devils".

Some on the left side of Croatian politics feel betrayed too. Feral Tribune savagely attacked not only Račan's (Racan's) decision to put "Cro Cop" on the list, but also some alleged 300,000 € being paid to Severina Vučković (Severina Vuckovic), Croatian "turbo folk" diva in exchange for her appearances on SDP rallies. Feral thinks that this reflects Račan's (Racan's) pandering to right-wing electorate by adopting their musical tastes and conservative machistic worldview shared by "Cro Cop". This U-turn corresponds with SDP not taking services of Croatian rock bands, unlike 2000 when Croatian rockers supported Račan (Racan), seeing him as their allies in cultural war with right-wing "turbo folk" musicians.

Whether Račan would succeed with this pragmatism is debatable. I think that taking "Cro Cop" was mistake, but not for ideological or ethical reasons. "Cro Cop" was supposed to become world champion before the elections and thus boost Račan's chances with his victory. With his defeat "Cro Cop" did the opposite. Croatian people don't like losers.