ZAGREB, Dec 9 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday appointed Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Ivo Sanader premier-designate.
ZAGREB, Dec 9 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday
appointed Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Ivo Sanader
premier-designate. #L#
Mesic told reporters that as premier-designate, Sanader enjoyed
the support of the parliamentary majority and would be able to
nominate the new government.
Congratulating the HDZ leader, the President voiced confidence the
new government would continue to realise Croatia's strategic
goals, including efforts to join the European Union.
Sanader thanked Mesic on the mandate he had been entrusted with,
Croatia's constituents, coalition partners, and all in parliament
who will endorse the HDZ-led government.
Sanader said he and Mesic had agreed the new parliament would hold
its first session on December 22.
"We are entering a new era, and the priority of us all and our
government will be economic growth and the growth of the average
Croatian family's living standards and purchasing power. In
foreign affairs, (the priority) is Croatia's entry into the EU and
NATO, and resolving open issues with neighbours," Sanader said.
"I am certain that in keeping with our constitutional powers, we
will cooperate well with the president of the republic and his
office, to the benefit of the Croatian people and all Croatian
citizens," Sanader added.
He announced that today the HDZ would begin final consultations on
the structure of the new government, adding that this should be
completed in four to five days. He added that talks with coalition
partners were proceeding well.
In keeping with his constitutional authority, Mesic entrusted
Sanader with the forming of the new government after consultations
with all parties, independent and ethnic minority deputies who were
elected to the parliament at last month's election.
The HDZ won the highest number of seats -- 66 of a total 152.
The party obtained written statements of support for the new
government from 10 more MPs. Support has also been announced by nine
deputies of the Croatian Peasant Party and Italian minority MP
Furio Radin.
(hina) ha sb