ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - Croatia's "Opposition Six" coalition on Wednesday harmonised a concept for the functioning of the new government and parliament, as motioned by Social Democratic Party (SDP) president and prime minister
candidate Ivica Racan. The concept envisages regulations for decision-making and working, a structure of the future government and parliament, as well as criteria for the distribution of duties of authority.
ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - Croatia's "Opposition Six" coalition on
Wednesday harmonised a concept for the functioning of the new
government and parliament, as motioned by Social Democratic Party
(SDP) president and prime minister candidate Ivica Racan.
The concept envisages regulations for decision-making and working,
a structure of the future government and parliament, as well as
criteria for the distribution of duties of authority.#L#
The main criterion for the distribution of authority will be
electoral results, Racan said after today's three-hour meeting.
Racan and Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) president Zlatko Tomcic
announced the "Opposition Six" would sign a coalition agreement
with the aim of securing a stable and firm government and
parliament.
The agreement will be signed before the appointment of the new prime
minister, and its details will be presented next week, Racan said.
"We completely agreed on the document," said Tomcic, adding "there
has been not even one contentious point."
Racan said that after finishing the coalition agreement's text, the
"Opposition Six" next week could discuss personnel issues in the
government and parliament.
"Today we agreed on a way of decision-making that will ensure a
strong and stable coalition," said Racan. He told the press the
parties of the "Opposition Six" would not have the right to veto any
decisions reached in parliament or government.
Racan announced changes in the government's present structure,
asserting it was a more important issue than the reduction of the
number of ministries. Some new ministries may be formed, but the
final number could remain 17, he said.
Asked if the formerly ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) would
be given parliamentary duties, Racan said the electoral results
criterion would apply for the new Opposition as well. He believes
the HDZ could have two vice president seats in parliament, as the
former Opposition did.
Racan confirmed that in distributing state duties, the "Opposition
Six" would discuss personnel changes at Croatian Radio-
Television.
Those changes will be aimed at the creation of a public television
and not at favouring the governing policy. The "Opposition Six"
committed to effect those changes before the January 3
parliamentary elections. Racan did not mention Hina.
The "Opposition Six" includes the SDP, the Croatian Social Liberal
Party, the Croatian People's Party, the HSS, the Liberal Party, and
the Istrian Democratic Assembly.
(hina) ha mm