ZAGREB, Nov 23 (Hina) - Shortly before 23:00 hours on Sunday evening, Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Ivo Sanader made a phone call to President Stjepan Mesic to ask him when he would start talks on the premier-designate.
Addressing reporters, Mesic said that he had told Sanader the talks would start as soon as he received the official election results and after the deadline for complaints expired.
ZAGREB, Nov 23 (Hina) - Shortly before 23:00 hours on Sunday
evening, Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Ivo Sanader made a
phone call to President Stjepan Mesic to ask him when he would start
talks on the premier-designate. Addressing reporters, Mesic said
that he had told Sanader the talks would start as soon as he received
the official election results and after the deadline for complaints
expired. #L#
Asked in which direction Croatia would go if Sanader was appointed
premier, Mesic said: "Judging by what Sanader has said, if he is
appointed premier-designate, Croatia will continue on the road to
Europe faster than it has done so far".
We would meet all requirements for membership in the European
community, Mesic said.
Mesic said that Croatian citizens had partially opted for changes,
as well as punished indecisiveness. They have punished those who
were not determined enough to fulfil their promises, he said.
Asked whether he was surprised by the election results, Mesic said
he was not because the former ruling coalition had been very
disunited.
Asked about the change of authority, he said that it would not be
turbulent. It was not turbulent the first time, in 1990, when
everything was done in a civilised manner as in 2000, so there is no
reason for it to be different now. Every new election will
demonstrate Croatia's growing political maturity, Mesic said.
It will not be difficult to appoint the premier-designate, but one
should wait for the results to become final and official, Mesic
said.
(hina) rml sb