ZAGREB MAYOR SHE RESIGNED AS RULING COALITION DIDN'T REACH AGREEMENT ON CITY LEADERSHIP

ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Zagreb mayor Vlasta Pavic said on Wednesday evening that she resigned from her post because the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Croatian People's Party (HNS), which make up the city's ruling coalition, had failed to reach agreement on cooperation. HNS president Vesna Pusic said today that Zagreb was a hostage to former mayor Milan Bandic. #L# "I am sad because I expected the parties would reach a compromise and agreement," Pavic told Croatian Radio. "The resignation was the only possible solution," she added. The main precondition for cooperation and the nomination of the new city leadership was the signing of a new coalition agreement or the redefinition of the current one, but this did not happen, she said. An alternative to a new election for Zagreb mayor is the nomination of a new candidate by 17 councillors. If the candidate is accepted by 27 councillors, the new mayor will be appointed, she said. HNS president Vesna Pusic said that "Zagreb is a hostage to Milan Bandic". "The SDP is trying to provoke a new election at any cost and push Bandic through as mayor despite his irresponsible behaviour and the fact that he lead the police a merry chase under the influence of alcohol," she said. Should the HNS participate in the coalition government in Zagreb, it will never again support Bandic's nomination for mayor, she said. Former Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic resigned in January after causing a traffic accident while driving under the influence of alcohol. (hina) rml