"Boris Miksic Receives a Warm Welcome in Canada" by Erica Zlomislic
“The time has come for people to become active in the political life of Croatia,” Boris Miksic
Croatian presidential candidate Boris Miksic received a warm welcome during his brief visit to Toronto on Thursday October 14.
Speaking to a crowd at the Croatia Club, Miksic highlighted several points in his platform including:
“One of the important positions in my campaign is that a healthy economy results in a thriving society.”
Other key topics covered included: allowing Croatian citizens to decide the question of entry into the European Union through a referendum; the issue of seniors’ pensions and the health care system; cracking down on government corruption and bureaucracy; and the sale of major Croatian assets to foreign nations.
Miksic was forthcoming when mentioning some of the many promises the current Croatian president had made and broken. He pointed out that Croatian President Stipe Mesic had taken dozens of trips abroad that had not resulted in any economic growth or new investment in Croatia. Miksic fears that the course the country is currently on may lead to more serious problems for Croatia in the very near future.
The enthusiastic crowd asked a variety of questions relating to the current social, political and economic situation in Croatia. Miksic stressed his interest in their concerns and said he wanted to improve ties with the Croatian Diaspora, which has played a key role in Croatia.
After the question period, attendees gladly queued in order to receive autographed copies of Miksic’s inspirational autobiographical book: American Dream: a Guy from Croatia.
The short stopover in Toronto was Mr. Miksic’s first as a presidential candidate and the only visit by any of the presidential candidates thus far. The positive response ended with a planned return to Canada in November for those who were not able to attend the weekday event.
A few days following the visit, volunteers were canvassing the Croatian community with Boris Miksic campaign flyers and brochures. Organizers say the response was extremely positive.
Toronto and the surrounding cities are said to have an expatriate Croatian population of more than 150,000.
Ove izbore ipak je obilježio Boris Mikšić. Dečko s Trešnjevke koji je vlastitim novcem financirao kampanju, gospodarstveniku bez podrške političkih stranaka, drugi krug pobjegao je u posljednji trenutak. Iza sebe je ostavio iskusnu političarku Đurđu Adlešić, HSP-ovu uzdanicu Slavena Leticu, Tuđmanova maga Ivića Pašalića. Građani su nagradili to što je kampanju financirao vlastitim novcem. Njegov uspjeh jasna je i jaka poruka hrvatskih građana političarima - da im sve manje vjeruju. Klasična politička pljuska. Večernji list, 04. siječnja 2005.