ZAGREB, July 30 (Hina) - At a press conference organised by the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), the party's vice president and secretary-general Ivan Cehok and Dorica Nikolic respectively estimated that with its 23 ministers
Racan's new government "has surpassed even Berlusconi's which is the largest in Europe.
ZAGREB, July 30 (Hina) - At a press conference organised by the
Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), the party's vice president
and secretary-general Ivan Cehok and Dorica Nikolic respectively
estimated that with its 23 ministers Racan's new government "has
surpassed even Berlusconi's which is the largest in Europe. #L#
HSLS believes that such a government cannot be efficient nor
responsible because the 23 priorities set out in the Government's
Programme do not have a name or surname to be considered accountable
for their implementation.
Cehok believes that a pragmatic majority is at work in the Sabor so
that a vote of confidence can be attained for the new cabinet.
A discussion on a constitutional bill on national minority rights
during Tuesday's extraordinary session of the Sabor did not accept
the urgent procedure which proves that the agreement between the
ruling coalition and minority MPs did not succeed, Cehok said.
He claimed that this sort of parliamentary majority which divided
ministerial armchairs amongst themselves and exploited the will of
the electorate will more often miss each other.
Cehok emphasised that no-one spoke to the HSLS about the
constitutional bill but instead the coalition came to an agreement
with the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) of a two-third majority of
votes in the parliament necessary for the bill to be adopted.
As a former coalition partner, the HSLS on Tuesday - when the Sabor
was to give its support to the new government presented by Ivica
Racan - made public a proposal for decreases in the government and
reforms in state administration.
Of the ministries in existence today the HSLS would include
Justice, Finances, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Transport
and Maritime Affairs, and Culture in a future cabinet. The number of
other ministries would be decreased with several ministries being
merged such as the Economy Ministry and others.
Reforms that Racan has abandoned would make the job easier for any
future premier, Nikolic said, adding that the HSLS had presented
the idea of a smaller government even while it was still in power.
(hina) sp ms