ZAGREB, July 18 (Hina) - A group of dissatisfied members of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) who founded or supported the setting up of a party bench of independent liberals on Thursday withdrew from the HSLS and announced the
establishment of a new party in September.
ZAGREB, July 18 (Hina) - A group of dissatisfied members of the
Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) who founded or supported the
setting up of a party bench of independent liberals on Thursday
withdrew from the HSLS and announced the establishment of a new
party in September. #L#
The informal leader of the group, Jozo Rados, said one of the
reasons for leaving the party was that the current party leadership
is incapable of facing the challenges of a government which had
brought the sense of the HSLS into question and cast doubt over the
realisation of the Government's programme that was agreed to by
all.
He accused the party leadership of violating the party's
Fundamental Principles. Rados believes the leadership is to blame
for the lack of dialogue and the introduction of a collective spirit
in the party which cannot be an attribute of a liberal party.
The Independent Liberals have therefore decided to preserve space
for liberal attitudes in Croatia which the party created, Rados
said.
Asked how many places in the new government he estimated Ivica Racan
would give the Independent Liberals, Rados said that talks were
still current.
Asked whether MPs who left the HSLS would obey Drazen Budisa's
demand that they return their mandates, Rados answered in the
negative. We won these mandates and do not intend to give them back
he said.
He announced that he would continue to cooperate with centre
parties who have similar political objectives.
Asked how he would relate towards the HSLS, he replied that his
personal and procedural relationship with the HSLS was over as of
today.
"I'm afraid that we will be in opposition to each other before we are
associates because the HSLS has left the liberal space," he said.
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