ZAGREB, Feb 7 (Hina) - I am neither delighted nor disappointed with first unofficial results of Croatia's presidential elections, said Zdravko Tomac, the head of the election headquarters of Drazen Budisa, the candidate of the Social
Democratic Party/Croatian Social Liberal Party (SDP/HSLS) coalition. According to early returns from the polls available to Budisa's headquarters, his rival, Stipe Mesic of the Croatian People's Party (HNS) has been in the lead. Asked by reporters Tomac said he abode by his previous statement that "it would be much harder to carry out the policy of the SDP/HSLS coalition if Budisa is not the President." To fulfil pre-election pledges given by partners SDP and HSLS does not depend only on whether we would like or not (to meet promises), Tomac explained. "For changes it is necessary that political strength exists and I was sure that the coalition of our two parties and the Budisa-
ZAGREB, Feb 7 (Hina) - I am neither delighted nor disappointed with
first unofficial results of Croatia's presidential elections, said
Zdravko Tomac, the head of the election headquarters of Drazen
Budisa, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party/Croatian
Social Liberal Party (SDP/HSLS) coalition.
According to early returns from the polls available to Budisa's
headquarters, his rival, Stipe Mesic of the Croatian People's Party
(HNS) has been in the lead.
Asked by reporters Tomac said he abode by his previous statement
that "it would be much harder to carry out the policy of the SDP/HSLS
coalition if Budisa is not the President."
To fulfil pre-election pledges given by partners SDP and HSLS does
not depend only on whether we would like or not (to meet promises),
Tomac explained. "For changes it is necessary that political
strength exists and I was sure that the coalition of our two parties
and the Budisa-Racan tandem can do it. We shall see whether Mesic-
Racan can do it," Tomac, a senior official of the SDP party, added.
Culture Minister Antun Vujic described the atmosphere in Budisa's
headquarters as not sad as regards that all knew that the centre of
decision-making would be shifted to the parliament.
Regardless of final results Vujic would like to see Budisa in
politics in the future. The minister voiced hope that the
Government and the National Sabor would have the best relations
with the future President of the Republic who would stick to their
joint political promises and respect the expectations of the public
that the country should be directed toward the strengthening of
parliamentarism and transparency of all public and political
functions.
Defence Minister Jozo Rados wished good cooperation with the
president regardless of who is in that office.
Rados described the moods in Budisa's headquarters as dignified.
"It is so in democracy. No matter what we think we must recognise
election results, the winner's legitimacy and do good together with
him," Defence Minister added.
(hina) ms