ZAGREB, Feb 27 (Hina) - The Presidency of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) advocates clearing up relations in the ruling coalition and the latest situation in the government, SDP leader and Prime Minister Ivica Racan told reporters
on Wednesday evening after a session of the party body. Racan said he would urge a faster resolution of the current situation in the coalition through talks with the coalition partners. At a meeting scheduled for Friday, the SDP will request the reasons why the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) decided to recall its representatives in the government, and the meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss possible strategic differences with regard to the government's, that is, coalition's work, Racan said. He added that he would seek arguments which made the HSLS decide to recall its government ministers, stressing that those ministers, particularly First Deputy Pri
ZAGREB, Feb 27 (Hina) - The Presidency of the Social Democratic
Party (SDP) advocates clearing up relations in the ruling coalition
and the latest situation in the government, SDP leader and Prime
Minister Ivica Racan told reporters on Wednesday evening after a
session of the party body.
Racan said he would urge a faster resolution of the current
situation in the coalition through talks with the coalition
partners. At a meeting scheduled for Friday, the SDP will request
the reasons why the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) decided to
recall its representatives in the government, and the meeting will
also provide an opportunity to discuss possible strategic
differences with regard to the government's, that is, coalition's
work, Racan said.
He added that he would seek arguments which made the HSLS decide to
recall its government ministers, stressing that those ministers,
particularly First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic, had
contributed to the government's work.
Asked whether the HSLS's insisting on recalling its ministers meant
the party did not support the government programme, Racan said one
should first discuss possible programme differences.
Asked to comment on the government's chances of survival, Racan
said he would not speculate as the situation was rather serious.
He stressed that he personally and his party would do all they can to
see to it that the government continues working. "We are doing a
difficult job and we are aware that our work leaves a lot to be
desired, but we also know that Croatian citizens do not want new
elections, which would be a waste of time and stop difficult reform
processes, and jeopardise Croatia's rating which the country took
great effort to build in Europe and elsewhere," Racan said.
"We are aware of that danger, but it is also hard to exercise
authority if problems you already have are unnecessarily
augmented. I hope citizens will understand our position should we
be forced to resort to new elections," Racan said, confirming he
personally could cooperate with HSLS leader Drazen Budisa.
(hina) sb rml