PARTY PRESIDENTS OF POSSIBLE NEW COALITION TO MEET FRIDAY

ZAGREB, April 24 (Hina) - The presidents of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Democratic Centre (DC) and Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) will on Friday once again consider forms of cooperation that could ensure them a victory at the next parliamentary election. #L# At their first meeting on April 14, the four parties did not decide whether they would form a coalition prior to or after the ballot. Each party had announced earlier it would run in the election in the autumn or next spring on its own. For the time being, Ivo Sanader, Drazen Budisa, Mate Granic and Anto Djapic agreed that it was necessary to coordinate their activities in the opposition to ensure an election victory. The four discussed the position of the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), an important party in the current ruling coalition which they would very much like to join them. It is presumed that this would certainly ensure them a victory in the coming election, although so far the party of Zlatko Tomcic has rejected the idea. For months, most public opinion polls have shown the HDZ would win the most votes individually, but it is estimated it would not be able to form a government on its own. Some political observers believe this is the reason this largest opposition party has decided to form a centre-right coalition. According to a recent survey by the International Republican Institute, the HDZ would win the most votes -- 22 per cent. However, the survey also showed that HDZ's possible coalition partners might not manage to enter into parliament unless they were to gain some of the 29 percent of undecided votes. On the other hand, three parties in the current ruling coalition -- the Social Democrats (SDP), HSS and Croatian People's Party (HNS) would win between nine and 13 percent of the vote. Should this forecasts prove to be correct and the ruling coalition sticks together, this could enable them to form another government. (hina) sp/ha sb