HDZ: No Statutory Grounds to Expel Prefect Petry Over Private Conduct

The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has stated that while the public conduct of Lika-Senj County Prefect Ernest Petry is inappropriate, the party's statutes offer no grounds for his expulsion. Krunoslav Katičić, the party's general secretary, acknowledged that Petry's behavior, particularly in light of controversial footage emerging before a parliamentary session on an ecological disaster in Gospić, is not fitting for his official role.

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The party's stance is that, given the function he holds, public behavior in such a manner is not appropriate.

"The party's stance is that, given the function he holds, public behavior in such a manner is not appropriate," Katičić told reporters. He emphasized that there are no statutory provisions within HDZ, or generally in any political party, that would permit expelling a member solely based on private behavior.

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There are no statutory possibilities to expel Petry from HDZ because of that, and that does not exist in any party.

Katičić addressed questions about whether the HDZ presidency would demand Petry's resignation from his prefect and party positions. He confirmed that he is in communication with all county presidents, including Petry. However, he noted that the presidency has not yet convened to deliberate on the matter and therefore cannot preemptively announce any decisions. The party plans to conduct all necessary consultations before informing the public of its next steps.

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I think it is not appropriate now to insist on some kind of purity in HDZ because of some things that are life-related and encroach on the privacy of every person. That should be protected, including you and all of us.