ZAGREB, Feb 5 (Hina) - The Croatian Prime Minister and president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ivica Racan, said on Wednesday evening that the ruling coalition would continue its work, namely that its mandate would
resume.
ZAGREB, Feb 5 (Hina) - The Croatian Prime Minister and president of
the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ivica Racan, said on Wednesday
evening that the ruling coalition would continue its work, namely
that its mandate would resume. #L#
Racan said this in the SDP headquarters after a meeting with
coalition partners held this afternoon in Vila Prekrizje.
The premier also announced that tomorrow he would present the
government with a report by three ministers in charge of examining
the privatisation process of the Suncani Hvar hotel chain.
He did not directly say whether there would be any resignations
which had been demanded by the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) with
regard to the decision on the sale of Suncani Hvar (HSS demanded the
resignations of Croatian Privatisation Fund president and the
tourism minister). Racan said that possible mistakes would be
inspected and that the government would not hush them up but correct
them.
He also added that all coalition partners were expected to put
national interests above party interests, because Croatia was
ahead of a historical application -- namely the country should
submit an application for EU membership in mid February.
He said he believed his party would support his moves.
Speaking of the ruling coalition, Racan said it was important to
ensure minimum trust during the coalition's mandate. He said ruling
parties must show responsibility towards coalition partners and
not only concern about their own interests.
However, according to unofficial sources, other participants in
the meeting, members of "smaller" coalition parties, were not that
optimistic regarding the survival of the coalition.
According to the same sources, the coalition members were far from
reaching an agreement on the sale of Suncani Hvar. The HSS continues
to insist on its demands, namely on the replacement of responsible
persons regarding the decision on the sale of Suncani Hvar to
Slovenia's Terme Catez, the same sources said.
According to unofficial information which leaked from the meeting
in Vila Prekrizje, smaller coalition parties assess that
parliamentary elections could take place as early as May.
(hina) it sb