SDP CONFIDENT OF VICTORY, VIEWS HSLS/DC OPPONENT CLOSE TO HDZ

ZAGREB, Sept 23 (Hina) - The Social Democratic Party (SDP) believes it will win at coming parliamentary elections but is concerned with the new coalition between the Social Liberals (HSLS) and the Democratic Centre (DC), which is becoming a fierce opponent, because it is part of the Croatian Democratic Union's (HDZ) policy, SDP officials told a regular press briefing on Tuesday. #L# The SDP is confident the parties of the ruling coalition will win the necessary majority to form the new government but believes that because of the new opposition coalition, the SDP, the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) and the Croatian People's Party (HNS), besides the announced post-election coalition, should form pre-election coalitions in some constituencies, like the SDP has done with the Istrian Democratic Assembly, and as has been suggested to Libra, it was said. The officials added this had not been officially suggested to the HSS or the HNS but that such pre-election coalitions were unlikely to occur. The SDP is interested in coalitions and would like the Liberal Party (LS) and the HNS to reach an agreement but thinks this too is an unlikely possibility, it was said. With respect to the LS, the SDP disagrees with its president Ivo Banac's persistent refusal to form a coalition with either the SDP or any other party from the current ruling coalition in individual constituencies. Banac wants a coalition on the national level, which the SDP does not consent to. SDP officials expressed disappointment with the HDZ's campaign, saying the party was evading an expert debate on reforms. The SDP will not embark on the campaign by saying it will certainly win, as the HDZ has done, but is confident voters will appreciate what the incumbent ruling coalition parties have done over the past four years, officials said. (hina) ha