ZAGREB, June 2 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Saturday announced the possibility of more radical measures, including an early election, caused by problems within the ruling six-party coalition.
ZAGREB, June 2 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on
Saturday announced the possibility of more radical measures,
including an early election, caused by problems within the ruling
six-party coalition. #L#
"I am not shunning an early election," said Racan adding an early
election would become inevitable if the government lost the
parliamentary majority or a stable parliamentary support.
In an interview in today's Radio 101 broadcast, Racan said an early
election was not something he or his party (Social Democratic
Party, SDP) wanted, but it might be a logical consequence of
problems and lack of responsibility in one part of the coalition.
"My responsibility is to protect the coalition as long as it is
possible, but there is a limit beyond which one cannot go - perhaps
we are reaching that limit, it remains to be seen," Racan said
adding the SDP would not contribute to the disintegration of the
coalition because the electorate did not want an early election.
Talks about the establishment of local authorities "are not easy"
because of the aspirations of some parties and individuals, he
said.
"I am afraid the coalition may end up damaged due to conflicts on the
ground among some parties and excessive aspirations toward power at
any cost," said Racan.
Commenting on problems in the establishment of local authorities in
Split, where the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) has refused
to form a coalition government with the SDP, Racan said "the failure
to form a coalition government in that city will have a negative
effect on the coalition."
The premier said a possible government reshuffle would be discussed
two to three weeks after the establishment of local authorities.
(hina) sb rml