ZAGREB, January 10, 2020 - The Democrats, a parliamentary party led by former Social Democrat Mirando Mrsić, warned on Friday about the possibility of the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) forming a grand coalition, calling on left-wing parties to oppose that and support a platform for a modern and open Croatia.
"Zoran Milanović's victory shows best what left parties should do to win parliamentary elections. We should come together and work together to remove from power the HDZ and the (bargaining) chips," Mrsić said, alluding to deputies making up the parliamentary group of Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić's party.
The Democrats believe that the SDP has not recognised the importance of left-wing opposition parties rallying but has offered cooperation to the HDZ and Andrej Plenković, thus creating conditions for a post-election coalition with the HDZ.
The party called on left and centre-left parties to rally around a programme for a modern and open Croatia where competence and hard work rather than party membership would be the price of success.
"Coming together and participating in the elections together is the only way to prevent a grand coalition between the HDZ and SDP and the continuation of the plunder of Croatia," said the party.
More SDP news can be found in the Politics section.
