CROATIAN PEASANT PARTY HAPPY WITH GROWING RATING - LEADER

ZAGREB, Oct 8 (Hina) - The Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) is happy with the growing rating among constituents which, according to the latest International Republican Institute (IRI) research, has risen since March to 11 percent, HSS president Zlatko Tomcic said on Wednesday. #L# Speaking at a news conference at which the research results were presented, Tomcic said this ruling coalition party was particularly satisfied that it rated high enough to enter parliament in all constituencies. According to unofficial information, the HSS rates best in the second and third constituencies -- northern Croatia's Bjelovar and Krizevci areas. Tomcic believes the HSS can win even more than 11 percent of the vote at next month's parliamentary elections. He claims the HSS would have rated three to four percent better if the IRI research had been conducted after last week's dispute over the proclamation of an economic zone in the Adriatic Sea. Tomcic said his party's rating had continued to grow since the start of the year despite accusations that the HSS was a calculating and non-principled party. "The economic zone issue was also a matter of calculating, although not by the HSS but by others," he said, adding that the HSS' rating would continue to grow over the next month because of the economic zone issue. Tomcic went on to say that speculation that the HSS was seriously considering forming a strategic partnership with the Social Democrats was not true. He reiterated the HSS would consider possible coalition partners after the election. He declined to speak about slates, but did announce significant changes as some prominent HSS members would not feature on them. (hina) ha