OPPOSITION SIX SUPPORT CONSENSUS FOR ELECTION LAW

ZAGREB, 30 March (Hina) - Six parliamentary Opposition parties just like the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) consider that any future agreement over the election law should be reached by consensus. The Opposition Six is to ask that their proposal for the election law be examined. This was decided at a joint meeting held in Zagreb on Tuesday by the leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Croatian Peoples' Party (HNS) and the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS). The leading party is obliged to enable the timely examination of election rolls so that any irregularities can be abolished, SDP president Ivica Racan told journalists. If we do not come to an agreement with the ruling party regarding the Diaspora election list, the Opposition will insist that a referendum be conducted so that Croatian citizens within the country and abroad can decide upon the issue. Racan said that the aim of the Opposition Six was to win at the coming elections and that objective would be determined by the most optimal model of their mutual cooperation. Racan emphasised that "anyone who thinks the Opposition is not capable of this, is mistaken". According to Racan, the Opposition Six supports the NATO and EU actions in Kosovo to stop the exodus and bloodshed of ethnic Albanians and to abolish the repercussion of ethnic cleansing. (hina) sp/rml