"The HDZ's claims that Ljubo Jurcic is a socialist economist and that we are people lacking courage are mean remarks that have nothing to do with the truth and say plenty about those making them," Milanovic said on national television, commenting on the HDZ's claims that it made no difference to them who was the new president of the strongest opposition party.
He reiterated that the SDP and the Croatian People's Party (HNS) would not form a coalition before parliamentary elections in the autumn. He said there was no need for that as the SDP was the strongest Croatian party.
Milanovic said he saw the HNS as a close political and coalition partner, and that in the next government there would be room for Vesna Pusic and Radimir Cacic, but not at the premier's post.
There is room for them, but at which posts and under what conditions will be known after the elections, Milanovic said, adding that "it's a little pretentious and exaggerated that a party which according to all polls is considerably weaker than the SDP should aim for the two most important posts, that of premier and foreign minister".
Asked about the case of Transport Minister Bozidar Kalmeta, whose driver is allegedly involved in blackmail, Milanovic said this was a serious matter as the driver's assets were disproportionate to his salary.
He reiterated that the SDP wanted Kalmeta to resign over the scandal as well as the resignations of Interior Minister Ivica Kirin and Economy Minister Branko Vukelic.