Prime Minister Kosor and Lady Gaga

She really surprised. At least most of them. Definitely me, and I am sure that Ivo Sanader is in the greatest shock. Jadranka Kosor can be satisfied with her first 160 days in power. When on July 4, nine thousand party members unanimously (?) confirmed her as Sanader’s successor, Prime Minister, and president of HDZ, there were not many who could confidently predict such a turn of events. Jadranka Kosor – person of the year.

Until her election to the prime ministerial position, she left the impression of a person who unquestioningly listens to the boss, faithfully follows him, does not stand out in her gray suits, but is someone whose loyalty can always be counted on. Her external appearance underwent a significant change, but even more surprising was her firm stance. She took the helm at a time of significant GDP decline, questionable success of the tourist season, announcements of strikes, and a ‘hot autumn’, and so far, despite the burdens and unsatisfactory budget arrangements, she is holding up quite well. Not excellently, but better than expected.

I don’t know why, but somehow I had the feeling that she would leave every meeting in tears. However, she showed her teeth to Sanader’s protégés with a smile on her face and an outstretched hand towards all her opponents. The motto ‘let’s join forces, let’s lead the country out of recession together’ helped her silence dissenters. She did not hesitate to enter into conflict with Uncle Luka, Polančec stepped down, and Kosor is the one who calms the public with statements like ‘Sanader will not return’. Who would really expect that?

She would gain a big plus by dismissing Minister Kalmeta. How much his chair is really wobbling, how much journalists misunderstood that, and how much Kosor may have ‘overstepped’ in her statements is not exactly known, but such a move would definitely show that she is a prime minister who will not support corruption and shady dealings. If she were to rid herself of inherited burdens, I think the media would declare her the person of the decade.

With the order she started in HDZ, she should not stop. These are actions that increase her credibility. And yes, to maintain the credibility and seriousness of her position, Kosor should avoid PR that includes baking cakes, listing all her brooches, discussing the shade of the very, very red dress she wore for the meeting with Pahor, and appearing in women’s magazines with the announcement ‘Exclusive! Interview with Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Lady Gaga’. It is nice when you want to get closer to voters and leave the impression of a ‘people’s person’, but boundaries must exist. Not all of us are prime ministers. Kosor is paid for that.