OSIJEK HDZ DEMANDS THAT COUNTY PREFECT RESIGN

OSIJEK, Dec 22 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) branches in Osijek-Baranja County and Osijek believe that county prefect Ladislav Bognar (a Social Democrat) must resign following a vote of no confidence given him by deputies at the county assembly two days ago, the HDZ branch in Osijek said. #L# The head of the party's county branch, Branimir Glavas, said that his party would use all "democratic means" to force Bognar to resign, including the non-attendance of assembly sessions. Glavas claims that Bognar acted in an intolerant and vengeful manner and therefore had to leave the post. The HDZ respects election results and the right of the county coalition (Social Democrats, Liberal Party, Croatian Peasant Party, Croatian Social Liberal Party) to nominate another candidate for the post, he said. "If the candidate is minimally acceptable to the HDZ, even if he/she comes from the SDP, I am confident a large number of councillors will support him/her. If the coalition nominates a candidate from the HSLS, LS or the HSS, he/she will be given plebiscitary support by all HDZ councillors," Glavas said. The HDZ bench at the Osijek County Assembly on December 20 initiated a vote of no confidence in Bognar, claiming that he breached assembly decisions regarding the operation and recapitalisation of the Osijek Free Zone. Of 51 deputies, 50 took part in the vote. Twenty-five deputies voted for while as many voted against the prefect. (hina) rml