LEFT AND RIGHT ALLIANCE

Jarnjak would not exclude red & black coalition

18.01.2010 u 09:50

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Vice president of the in-power Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) Ivan Jarnjak announced in an interview for the Novi List daily that PM Jadranka Kosor will soon meet with Social Democrat leader Zoran Milanović. When asked if a coalition agreement could be the point of the meeting, Jarnjak responded 'Never say never!'

In future talks between the ruling and the strongest opposition party, says Jarnjak, the SDP can expect the adoption of some of their proposals
'Already mere idea exchanges are stimulating. We should agree how to conduct this in parliament. A constructive opposition should always be prepared to hold talks with the government with the goal of finding the best possible solutions for the country', said Jarnjak, adding to the journalist's comment that this will mean that the HDZ will have ti accept some of the SDP's proposals 'Absolutely. Talks are not monologues.'
'The HDZ is prepared for dialog?', the Novi List reporter asked.
'We have expressed interest in a dialog with the opposition for some time already. Milanović will probably come in for talks', Jarnjak answered.
Could talks like these result in a coalition between the HDZ and SDP?
'I wouldn't speculate, it is important to meet and start useful talks. This would already be a big thing. We needn't burden ourselves with other things right now, it is not good to set goals that are too high or too low. We'll see!'
You won't speculate, but you also don't reject such a possibility.
'In politics, one of the basic rules is to never say never. But right now it would be silly to speculate on the possibility of a big coalition, since talks between the government and the Social Democrat Party have not even started. We need to get accustomed to holding more talks with the SDP in the future. In Croatia, political exclusiveness is lessening, the time of incisive idealogical division is behind us. It is up to parties, using all the political intelligence in the country, to secure a better life for the people.'