VARAZDIN, Sept 5 (Hina) - "A warm political autumn is expected in Croatia, definitely not a hot one as wished by those who lost the elections," the vice president of the ruling coalition's Social Democrats (SDP) and parliament's
deputy speaker, Mato Arlovic, said on Wednesday. The SDP does not mind protests or peaceful rallies of citizens staged to criticise the authorities, but "we do mind rallies announced to assume power by illegal means, as was the announced (but cancelled) rally at Znjan (in the southern seaport of Split)," said Arlovic. He does not agree Croatia is in the grips of a national conflict. Croats' national interests are not represented only by the Croatian Bloc parties but others as well, he said. Commenting on statements by some representatives of the five-party ruling coalition that only the SDP endorsed a border agreement with Slovenia, Arlovic said "the SDP... maintains it is better to
VARAZDIN, Sept 5 (Hina) - "A warm political autumn is expected in
Croatia, definitely not a hot one as wished by those who lost the
elections," the vice president of the ruling coalition's Social
Democrats (SDP) and parliament's deputy speaker, Mato Arlovic,
said on Wednesday.
The SDP does not mind protests or peaceful rallies of citizens
staged to criticise the authorities, but "we do mind rallies
announced to assume power by illegal means, as was the announced
(but cancelled) rally at Znjan (in the southern seaport of Split),"
said Arlovic.
He does not agree Croatia is in the grips of a national conflict.
Croats' national interests are not represented only by the Croatian
Bloc parties but others as well, he said.
Commenting on statements by some representatives of the five-party
ruling coalition that only the SDP endorsed a border agreement with
Slovenia, Arlovic said "the SDP... maintains it is better to reach a
joint border agreement as it proves we are on the level of
democratic societies."
He added it should also be remembered the government had only
initialled the agreement, which has yet to be discussed and
ratified.
"The SDP will do everything, protecting national interests, to open
Croatia's path to European integration, to the West, not the
Southeast," Arlovic said, adding Croatia could seek an equal place
in Europe depending on its economic power and dealing with social
issues.
"By spending excessively and buying political peace and social
stability, the former authorities multiplied Croatia debt, which
now has to be settled," said Arlovic.
(hina) ha sb