CROATIA: Economic problems and a corruption scandal in the ruling HDZ party dominate the start of campaigning for a parliamentary election in Croatia next month

Record ID: 346432

  • Title: CROATIA: Economic problems and a corruption scandal in the ruling HDZ party dominate the start of campaigning for a parliamentary election in Croatia next month
  • Date: 28th November 2011
  • Summary: BJELOVAR, CROATIA (NOVEMBER 22, 2011) ( REUTERS) ( * BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION SUPPORTERS DANCING AT PARTY RALLY IN BJELOVAR PRIME MINISTER JADRANKA KOSOR FACING THE CROWD AND CLAPPING TO MUSIC VARIOUS OF PRIME MINISTER JADRANKA KOSOR AND PARTY SUPPORTERS STANDING AND CLAPPING TO MUSIC ELDERLY MAN IN CROWD WEARING PARTY BADGE
  • Embargoed: 13th December 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Croatia, Croatia
  • Country: Croatia
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3NUY5AJXNO5XML8J4M6EICECX
  • Story Text: Economic problems and a corruption scandal within the ruling party are dominating the campaigning for the December 4 parliamentary election in Croatia that the centre-left opposition looks likely to win.
    The opposition coalition led by the Social Democrats (SDP) is well ahead in opinion polls of Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor's centre-right HDZ, which is seeking a third straight four-year term, but is weighed down by the trial of its former leader and a corruption investigation focused on the party itself.
    "We are going through an exceptionally difficult period at the moment. That is why our election slogan says that HDZ performs best in the toughest of times. We are really in a difficult situation now, which many have used to put pressure on the Croatian Democratic Union, in an effort to diminish everything we have done over the years, especially in the last two years," Kosor said at a HDZ rally in the northern Croatian town of Bjelovar on Tuesday (November 22).
    Former HDZ leader and prime minister Ivo Sanader resigned in July 2009 without explanation and is currently on trial at a Zagreb court on corruption and war profiteering charges. Sanader was succeeded by Jadranka Kosor, who successfully finished EU entry negotiations, and the country is due to join the European Union in 2013. The ruling party's campaign trail is marked with an effort to distance itself from Sanader and an emphasis on Kosor's foreign policy accomplishments.
    "I have a very high opinion of Jadranka Kosor's government, [and the period] since she came into office. I rather wouldn't comment on the period before her when Ivo Sanader was in charge. That is something he has to take responsibility for, but we are moving on. HDZ has the best program and together with Jadranka Kosor we could go far," war veteran Bono Sabljic said at the HDZ rally in Bjelovar.
    However, the dire state of the economy is the main focus of campaign issues. Both main blocs are promising to improve the stifling business climate, continue anti-corruption efforts, cut the budget deficit and attract significant foreign investments. The opposition coalition also wants a tax and administration reform while the HDZ promises "financial stability and economic development."
    "Integrity in Croatia is not a problem, the problem is with (the integrity of) those currently in power. Croatia is better than its government and deserves a better government, the problem is not integrity in Croatia. We are people who have the right to decent living. In Croatia it is not irrelevant who is in power, it is not irrelevant who will spend the next four years pulling the country out of the crisis. And the crisis is deep", opposition leader Zoran Milanovic said at a rally in the central Croatian town of Sisak on Wednesday (November 23).
    Croatia's economy is burdened by weak growth, chronic lack of liquidity, growing public debt and high unemployment, which stood at 17.4 percent in October. The country is only one notch above the speculative investment grade and a rating cut would make foreign borrowing much more expensive. An opinion poll in late October put the SDP-led alliance at 38.8 percent, way ahead of HDZ with 20.3 percent.
    "People have lost faith in all politicians by now because all they do is make promises. I hope that the opposition coalition would win, but I also hope that when and if they come to power they will not just blame the previous government for problems. I hope that they will leave that behind and actually start doing something meaningful," said Jadranka, an employee of the state lottery, at the opposition rally in the impoverished central Croatian town of Sisak, which once used to be a centre of heavy industry in the region.
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