ZAGREB, June 4 (Hina) - Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) president Ivan Jakovcic walked out of Monday's meeting of the presidents of the ruling coalition's six parties, stressing his party was joining the Opposition. Jakovcic will
resign as European Integration Minister by the start of next week. Assistant Tourism Minister Veljko Ostojic will also resign his position. As part of the Opposition the IDS will not try to destabilise the government, but will try to help it implement reforms and contribute to the stability of the country, Jakovcic said. He assessed the IDS, as a part of the ruling coalition, had given a great contribution to Croatia's approaching European associations as well as to the development of the country's economy. Jakovcic stressed the party would continue to work in that direction. He reminded that some coalition partners considered the IDS a destabilisation factor in the ruling coalition, stressing that
ZAGREB, June 4 (Hina) - Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) president
Ivan Jakovcic walked out of Monday's meeting of the presidents of
the ruling coalition's six parties, stressing his party was joining
the Opposition.
Jakovcic will resign as European Integration Minister by the start
of next week. Assistant Tourism Minister Veljko Ostojic will also
resign his position.
As part of the Opposition the IDS will not try to destabilise the
government, but will try to help it implement reforms and
contribute to the stability of the country, Jakovcic said.
He assessed the IDS, as a part of the ruling coalition, had given a
great contribution to Croatia's approaching European associations
as well as to the development of the country's economy. Jakovcic
stressed the party would continue to work in that direction.
He reminded that some coalition partners considered the IDS a
destabilisation factor in the ruling coalition, stressing that the
"stability of the coalition now depends on other parties."
Today's meeting of the now five-member coalition is the third in a
series of announced meetings at which the parties' leaders should
agree on the forming of local authorities now that local elections
have taken place.
At two meetings, held last week, leaders of the parties of the
ruling coalition agreed in principle on the rules of the post-
election establishment of coalitions. It was agreed that the
parties cooperate in the establishment of local authority wherever
possible and that the party with the majority of votes should have
the right to elect the head of the executive authority.
The coalition heads abandoned the agreement on Friday, when it was
decided that the authority in Medjimurje County would be formed by
the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), the Croatian Peasants'
Party (HSS) and the Croatian People's Party (HNS), without the
Social Democratic Party (SDP).
After Friday's talks, Prime Minister Ivica Racan stressed that too
many sharp departures from the agreement in principle of the ruling
six coalition parties could have a negative impact on relations in
the ruling coalition at the state level.
(hina) it sb