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Croatia's PM Sanader steps down Croatia's PM Sanader steps down
(21 minutes later)
Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has announced he will resign and withdraw from politics.Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has announced he will resign and withdraw from politics.
"I have decided to withdraw from active politics and not to run for the presidency," Mr Sanader said."I have decided to withdraw from active politics and not to run for the presidency," Mr Sanader said.
The announcement came as a surprise. Croatian media had speculated recently that Mr Sanader would run for president next year.The announcement came as a surprise. Croatian media had speculated recently that Mr Sanader would run for president next year.
The leader of the conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Mr Sanader had been prime minister since 2003.The leader of the conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Mr Sanader had been prime minister since 2003.
But he told reporters at a news conference in the capital, Zagreb: "My job has been done, my political life ends now."But he told reporters at a news conference in the capital, Zagreb: "My job has been done, my political life ends now."
State media reported that he recommended his deputy, Jadranka Kosor, as the best person to replace him.State media reported that he recommended his deputy, Jadranka Kosor, as the best person to replace him.
Mr Sanader won a second term in office November 2007.
He made gaining Croatian membership of Nato and the European Union a key part of his time in office.
Croatia joined Nato in April this year but accession to the EU has stalled over an unresolved border dispute with neighbouring Slovenia.