PM says sees no room for cooperation with HDZ

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic dismissed on Friday the possibility of a coalition with the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), saying the leadership of the strongest opposition party promoted unacceptable values and that it was "on the other side of the law" in many things.

"I see no room for cooperation with the people running the HDZ," Milanovic said on Croatian Television, adding that centre-left parties were closer to his Social Democrats (SDP) because they shared some values, which he said was "something you can stand on."

He said the HDZ had become a narrow-minded party in the past year, "which even the European People's Party is warning about some things they mustn't do."

Commenting on accusations against members of the SDP presidency Zeljko Sabo and Marina Lovric Merzel, Milanovic said the party presidency would take a position on this matter next week, adding that these people were his colleagues and not his friends.

He said President Ivo Josipovic's commission of experts for constitutional changes was a good contribution to a public debate, but added that changing the Constitution was not an expert but always political issue. It is solely a matter of values, he said.

He also commented on claims that Brussels is not happy with the level of cuts Croatia has made. "The recommendation of 2.3% of GDP should have been our goal, I don't know if we will be able to achieve it fully because we do not want to compromise other things that are important to us and kill every possibility for economic growth," the PM said.

According to him, there will be no new taxes and pensions' and salaries' cuts for now.

Commenting on results of the polls according to which one third of Croatians expect early election, Milanovic said his government must finish its term.

(Hina)



News