"Thanks to the HDZ, a concept of politics based on bargaining is being established and it will be necessary to introduce new criteria to define authority and politics, depending on how much one is inclined and ready to engage in bargaining," Racan told reporters in the Parliament building.
Racan said that the budget was growing bigger by the year, that problems plaguing Croatian society were not being solved, and that care for the unemployed and pensioners, as well as for residents of Pozega-Slavonia County, was inadequate.
The SDP leader criticised the government for rejecting the SDP's amendments seeking more funds for employment.
He also said that the government was trying to make peace with pensioners by giving them one-off Christmas bonuses, but rejected the SDP's amendment proposing that Christmas bonuses be a budgetary obligation and not a means to win votes or delude pensioners before elections.
Racan said that the draft budget did not envisage funds for the harmonisation of pension allowances for pensioners who were retired before 1990 and those retired after 1990 and that the government rejected the SDP's amendment proposing that the pension allowances be adjusted immediately.
SDP vice-president Milanka Opacic accused the government of financing projects only in those self-government units where the HDZ was in power, while rejecting the SDP's amendments to help Pozega-Slavonia County, whose account was blocked in March this year due to unpaid loan instalments.