ZAGREB, Jan 28 (Hina) - The Social Democratic Party (SDP) does not wish to preserve the (ruling) coalition and stay in power at any cost, particularly if the situation in the coalition jeopardises the quality of the coalition
authority, SDP president and Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Monday.
ZAGREB, Jan 28 (Hina) - The Social Democratic Party (SDP) does not
wish to preserve the (ruling) coalition and stay in power at any
cost, particularly if the situation in the coalition jeopardises
the quality of the coalition authority, SDP president and Croatian
Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Monday. #L#
Commenting on numerous criticisms about the situation in the five-
party coalition and requests he sees as "sometimes unbelievable and
unfounded", Racan said after a meeting of coalition leaders "the
SDP is aware of the seriousness of the work and its role in the
coalition".
"We have maintained a high degree of self-denial because we are
aware that we should contribute to the stability of the coalition,
maybe more than others," Racan said, adding that the SDP was not
preparing for elections but wanted to complete its mandate.
"However, if the situation in the coalition does not make it
possible for programme tasks to be carried out optimally, one
cannot expect the SDP alone to sustain and support such a
coalition," the prime minister asserted.
He announced that his party would take on a stance about the
relations within the coalition next week, and give its contribution
to the settling of affairs among the five parties.
Racan informed reporters that the party leaders today agreed to
hold a serious discussion about relations and the situation in the
coalition after the electoral assembly of the Croatian Social
Liberal Party (HSLS) scheduled to take place Saturday.
The party chiefs also discussed reforms in the military and
education systems.
Announcing a thematic government session for Thursday, which is to
focus on the strategies of defence and national security, Racan
said that immediately after the session, a set of bills would be
forwarded to parliament which would bring the reform of the
Croatian army to an end.
During the upcoming several weeks, the government and the coalition
will be dealing with reform of the education system, as well as with
Croatia's relations with the International Monetary Fund, Racan
announced.
"Our relationship with the IMF is not as dramatic as some press
write. The government will know how to defend its programme options
during negotiations which will begin in about ten days, independent
of whether they please somebody or not," Racan stressed.
(hina) lml sb