ZAGREB, Jan 10 (Hina) - Croatian Parliament President and acting Head of State Vlatko Pavletic on Monday met the leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), with whom he agreed on the
transfer of executive and legislative authority to the parties which won the January 3 parliamentary election. However, concrete dates will be announced after Pavletic holds consultations with other parliamentary parties this week.
ZAGREB, Jan 10 (Hina) - Croatian Parliament President and acting
Head of State Vlatko Pavletic on Monday met the leaders of the
Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Croatian Social Liberal Party
(HSLS), with whom he agreed on the transfer of executive and
legislative authority to the parties which won the January 3
parliamentary election. However, concrete dates will be announced
after Pavletic holds consultations with other parliamentary
parties this week. #L#
Pavletic, SDP's Ivica Racan and HSLS's Drazen Budisa expressed
satisfaction with today's talks, describing them as constructive.
"I am not ready yet to talk about any concrete dates, they are
approximate," Pavletic said after the meeting at the Croatian
National Sabor.
Pavletic believes today's talks would contribute to an
appropriate, fair and quick transfer of authority.
He also believes the transfer of authority will prove that Croatia
is mature enough to make democratic progress and that this will be
recognised by both the European Union and America, helping Croatia
at the same time in solving its many problems.
HSLS's Budisa said the talks have confirmed yet another degree of
democratic maturity. Budisa is convinced that, following the
successfully conducted parliamentary election, the transfer of
authority would also be completed in a successful and democratic
manner, in line with the Constitution and laws.
Racan, the future premier designate, said the Opposition Six
parties would continue their talks on Wednesday and discuss the
concept of the future government and the form of decision-making.
Racan believes deeply the Opposition Six will reach an agreement on
the concept of the new government and open a debate on the
candidates within a week.
"This means that all the current speculation, information and
incomplete information on future ministers, as far as I am
concerned, are completely unfounded," Racan said.
Prolonging the state of vacuum in the transfer of authority is not
good for Croatia, however, the SDP and the HSLS will observe all
constitutional deadlines, Racan said.
Racan estimates that the temporary President of the Republic could
name the premier designate on January 21 at the earliest, after the
announcement of official election results. Should there be
objections to the National Electoral Commission and the
Constitutional Court regarding the election results, the naming of
the premier designate would be delayed for a week.
It is also expected that the constituent session of the House of
Representatives will be held in the first half of February.
The new premier designate - and the coalition which won the
elections suggested that Racan be named premier designate - will
have to present to the Sabor members of the new government within 15
days from the constitution of parliament.
(hina) mm rml