Preparing for the Croatian elections: who will IDS deal with?
The coalition negotiations between IDS and its potential partners are one of the most important summer topics in the national political arena. The electoral success in the eighth constituency is crucial for the left and centre-left parties, as well as for independent politicians who have announced they will stand as candidates in Istria. IDS secretary general Giovanni Sponza talked about the forthcoming elections in Novi List.
"At the last parliamentary elections, SDP-led coalition won the greatest number of seats in the eight constituency, while today the situation is completely different. IDS is certainly not responsible for that. The responsibility belongs to those who have caused commotion in their own ranks, so that even Zlatko Komadina, SDP's vice-president who has significant political weight in this particular constituency, for now does not want to be a candidate", said Sponza. "The basis for the coalition is not and should not be positions on the electoral lists, but the content of policies. The most important thing is that agreements have to be respected. We insist on that and seek a guarantee for what has been agreed for Istria. There will be no deal without guarantees."
"Our position is very clear: IDS will only enter into a coalition on the basis of party manifestoes, with a clear agenda and specific projects that we want to offer to citizens. One of the most important points for IDS is the issue of decentralization. SDP is now the ruling party on the national level and they should be very clear about what they think should remain at the national level and which areas should be left to the level of counties, cities and municipalities. We are waiting for potential partners to come up with plans, practical measures and solutions and only then the negotiating team can continue with more detailed negotiations", added Sponza.
"We are going to negotiate with parties which share our values. I think that discussions can never harm anybody. We can see that some individuals within SDP are coming to the conclusion that the political centre and the left can achieve better electoral results with separate lists. However, in this parliamentary constituency, IDS can represent the basis for a broader group of parties", said Sponza. "We will not negotiate with HDZ. Our value systems are not compatible. Antifascism, tolerance, the rights of all minorities, these are values about which IDS will never compromise."
"The party Council will eventually make a decision whether to go it alone or in a coalition with some other parties. However, we must keep in mind that the election date is still unknown", concluded Sponza.
