PARTY LEADERS SAY BUDISA'S ELECTION AS HSLS PRESIDENT EXPECTED

ZAGREB, Feb 3 (Hina) - Most Croatian political leaders said they had expected Drazen Budisa to be re-elected president of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and estimated that it would not lead to any major changes in the ruling coalition. A member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Main Committee, Zdravko Tomac, expects the HSLS will move towards consolidation and that a rift will not occur. "The HSLS is indispensable, it has played an important role in the recent Croatian history, both during the Homeland War and in the past two years as part of the coalition government," Tomac said. He believes Budisa's election as HSLS president will not lead to "disruption" in the ruling coalition. The coalition now faces talks which will have to "eliminate some failures and determine rules of conduct for all coalition partners," Tomac said. Congratulating Budisa on his victory, Croatian People's Party (HNS) president Vesna Pusic said she hoped the HSLS would remain in the coalition. She did not want to comment on possible "political consequences" of Budisa's election. Liberal Party (LS) president Zlatko Kramaric said the change of the HSLS leadership would not lead to any major changes on the political scene. He recalled that all representatives of the ruling coalition who attended the HSLS's electoral assembly had pointed to the need for a strong and stable HSLS. The ruling coalition must finally turn to economy, stop internal squabbles and continue to be united in opposition to the HDZ and the right bloc, he said. "I believe that Budisa is certainly the strongest figure the party could have nominated, and his election will stabilise relations within the party, regardless of the fact that political opponents wanted to see someone else at the party's helm," Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) vice-president Damir Kajin said. Croatia currently needs "stable political groups and consistent leaders, which Budisa most certainly is," Kajin said. He believes Budisa's election will open the question of relations in the coalition, but does not expect any significant changes which may lead to an early election. Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) secretary-general Jozo Skara said Budisa's election was expected and logical, adding it would strengthen and stabilise the party. Democratic Centre (DC) Mate Granic said Budisa's election was expected and very convincing and welcomed Budisa's interest in strengthening the political centre. (hina) rml