Split SDP elects new leadership, vows to regain party's 'honor'

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Split has elected Danijel Kukoč as its new president, signaling a fresh direction for the local branch. Joško Markić and Goran Šarotić were also chosen as deputy presidents during the party's electoral convention.

In his acceptance speech, Kukoč invoked the memory of the SDP's first president, Ivica Račan, lamenting that the party had lost its 'honor' over the past decade. He declared his primary goals to be restoring that honor and, in coalition with partners, reclaiming power in Split by 2029.

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We can lose power, but not our honor.

Kukoč specifically mentioned the Možemo party at the national level and the local Direkt party as key coalition partners. He also extended an invitation to other political parties, citizen associations, independent lists, and intellectuals from the center-left spectrum who have not collaborated with the ruling HDZ party.

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These are the foundations and beginnings of everything that motivated me to run for president of the Split SDP branch.

To regain the party's standing, Kukoč plans to foster camaraderie, highlight existing problems, and propose concrete solutions for Split's numerous issues. He criticized the current city administration for relying on populist measures and public relations to mask their incompetence.

Markić and Šarotić echoed Kukoč's sentiments, expressing a desire for a stronger, more unified, and responsible SDP that actively addresses citizens' social needs, environmental concerns, and quality of life issues in Split. They acknowledged past disappointments with voters but pledged to change the party's image.

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We must be united, honest, and consistent, and we must send a message that we have firm goals, strong people, and strong policies that have not reached the voters until now, and we must change that.