VARAZDINSKE TOPLICE, Sept 15 (Hina) - The leader of the Social Democrats (SDP), Ivica Racan, said on Saturday Croatia did not have any decent prospects without economic and social reforms. Half the way from the start of its mandate
the SDP is still dealing with the HDZ's (Croatian Democratic Union) negative legacy and the problem of "belated transition". That is why the authorities must implement economic and social reforms, Racan said at a new conference on Saturday, on the occasion of a two-day party conference, which gathered more than 200 SDP members at Varazdinske Toplice. The conference will also tackle the problem of cooperation within the ruling coalition. The SDP did not have good results in the last local election but in some towns it lost power "due to post-election scheming, with some coalition partners having let the SDP down." Coalition relations would have to be improved so that such situations do not hap
VARAZDINSKE TOPLICE, Sept 15 (Hina) - The leader of the Social
Democrats (SDP), Ivica Racan, said on Saturday Croatia did not have
any decent prospects without economic and social reforms.
Half the way from the start of its mandate the SDP is still dealing
with the HDZ's (Croatian Democratic Union) negative legacy and the
problem of "belated transition". That is why the authorities must
implement economic and social reforms, Racan said at a new
conference on Saturday, on the occasion of a two-day party
conference, which gathered more than 200 SDP members at Varazdinske
Toplice.
The conference will also tackle the problem of cooperation within
the ruling coalition. The SDP did not have good results in the last
local election but in some towns it lost power "due to post-election
scheming, with some coalition partners having let the SDP down."
Coalition relations would have to be improved so that such
situations do not happen again, he said.
Asked whether the SDP would hold a meeting with the Croatian Social
Liberal Party (HSLS), as has been announced for quite some time,
Racan said his party would propose that the meeting be held and that
it focus on programmes which were essential for resolving problems
in the country.
Declining to comment on internal relations in the HSLS, Racan said
the HSLS "has been the SDP's strategic partner and the SDP wants it
to continue being its partner."
Speaking about the security situation in the country, Racan
expressed dissatisfaction with the level of respect for the
Constitution and laws. This is why high state officials are
becoming the targets of insults in some parts of the country.
"Anyone can criticise and present his criticism of the President of
the State, Prime Minister or Parliament Speaker, but those posts
and people holding them cannot be negated because that constitutes
disrespect for the Constitution and laws," he said.
Asked whether he expected coalition partners and parliament to
support an agreement on the border with Slovenia, Racan said this
was a bilateral issue and he would be able to provide an answer to
that question next week, in his capacity as Prime Minister.
Speaking about Croatia's international position, Racan said, "we
have to be efficient in integration processes with the European
Union since any failure in that regard may be dramatically
dangerous."
The closed-door party conference continues tomorrow.
(hina) rml