ZAGREB'S OPPOSITION ALLIANCE TO PROPOSE NEW MAYOR

ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - A seven-party opposition alliance would put up a new candidate for the mayor of Zagreb after President Franjo Tudjman refused to confirm its candidate two weeks ago, City Assembly president Zdravko Tomac announced on Tuesday. Tomac told a press conference in Zagreb that "all along the alliance has abided by the Constitution and law, trying to avoid the prolongation of the (government) crisis" in Zagreb. The press conference was held ahead of sessions of the Zagreb City and County assemblies scheduled for Wednesday and was attended by representatives of all seven opposition parties which had formed the alliance to participate in the 29 October 1995 parliamentary election. Tomac said that there were problems in the functioning of the local government in the capital because the County Assembly was financially blocked and because of dual government in the city itself. In response to a question whether the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) agreed with the appointment of a new mayor, City Assembly vice president Dorica Nikolic said that it did but expressed regrets that HSLS member Goran Granic could not assume his office as a legally elected mayor. Tomac said that it was possible that the President would not confirm a new mayor and would name a commissioner instead, which, Tomac added, would result in new elections in Zagreb. (hina) vm jn 231749 MET jan 96