Croatian coalition talks continue

Talks continue over the formation of a new Croatian government. Serb representatives are expected to receive the post of vice-president. Croatian coalition talks continue Negotiations between the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) and a Croatian Democratic Community (HDZ) delegation led by incumbent Prime Minister Ivo Sanader over forming a new government finished without agreement yesterday and will continue today. After the meeting, SDSS MP and vice-president Milorad Pupovac said that talks had begun on proposals of candidates for certain posts, though talks had not yet ended over the manifesto or the new government’s line-up. The SDSS’s three elected MPs, Milorad Pupovac, Vojislav Stanimirovic and Ratko Gajica will resume talks with the HDZ today. There are still seven main elements left to agree on, including civilian casualties of war, war crimes trials, public administration and justice reform, general government policy, and international and regional policy. Although there is still a lot of ground to be covered, Pupovac said yesterday that a coalition deal with the HDZ should be concluded today. Once the Serb representatives have signed, the Italian and Czech and Slovak representatives are expected to follow suit. Thus far, three parties have entered the coalition deal with the HDZ: the Croatian Peasants Party (HSS), the Croatian Social-Liberal Party, the Pensioners Party, and three national minority representatives. Although the bulk of inter-party talks are complete, the make-up of the future government is still unclear. Problems have arisen over the HSS’s nominations for posts within the government. The HSS, described as tough negotiators, are demanding the post of parliamentary speaker as well as two ministerial posts, which, evidently, the HDZ is not prepared to give them. Because of the large number of coalition partners, Sanader’s new government will have the most vice-presidential posts – five - in Europe, and a member of the Serb minority is expected to receive one of those positions for the first time. According to reports, the man in question will be Pupovac. With the support of minority MPs, Sanader’s government will have a majority of 83 seats in the parliament, assuring him parliamentary support for the next four years.

Croatian coalition talks continue

Negotiations between the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) and a Croatian Democratic Community (HDZ) delegation led by incumbent Prime Minister Ivo Sanader over forming a new government finished without agreement yesterday and will continue today.

After the meeting, SDSS MP and vice-president Milorad Pupovac said that talks had begun on proposals of candidates for certain posts, though talks had not yet ended over the manifesto or the new government’s line-up.

The SDSS’s three elected MPs, Milorad Pupovac, Vojislav Stanimirović and Ratko Gajica will resume talks with the HDZ today.

There are still seven main elements left to agree on, including civilian casualties of war, war crimes trials, public administration and justice reform, general government policy, and international and regional policy.

Although there is still a lot of ground to be covered, Pupovac said yesterday that a coalition deal with the HDZ should be concluded today.

Once the Serb representatives have signed, the Italian and Czech and Slovak representatives are expected to follow suit.

Thus far, three parties have entered the coalition deal with the HDZ: the Croatian Peasants Party (HSS), the Croatian Social-Liberal Party, the Pensioners Party, and three national minority representatives.

Although the bulk of inter-party talks are complete, the make-up of the future government is still unclear.

Problems have arisen over the HSS’s nominations for posts within the government.

The HSS, described as tough negotiators, are demanding the post of parliamentary speaker as well as two ministerial posts, which, evidently, the HDZ is not prepared to give them.

Because of the large number of coalition partners, Sanader’s new government will have the most vice-presidential posts – five - in Europe, and a member of the Serb minority is expected to receive one of those positions for the first time.

According to reports, the man in question will be Pupovac.

With the support of minority MPs, Sanader’s government will have a majority of 83 seats in the parliament, assuring him parliamentary support for the next four years.