SDP Head: I Will No Longer Tug on PM’s Sleeve

The SDP head said constitutional amendments necessary for accessing the EU should be achieved by joint political decisions in parliament.

ZAGREB, CROATIA - - That’s no job – SDP president Zoran Milanovic told Friday’s news conference, commenting the way in which the Croatian government has begun with amendments to the constitution. 

The president of the social democrats has tried to reach Prime Minister Ivo Sanader through formal and informal channels. Since Sanader never responded Milanovic decided to call a news conference instead of continuing to tug his sleeve.

Milanovic publicly urged the prime minister and other parties to commence the process of

Amending the constitution is an important political process and we must act as partners so we wouldn’t have to change it again in a year’s time.

Zoran Milanovic

The SDP head said constitutional amendments necessary for accessing the EU should be achieved by joint political decisions in parliament.

- Amendments to the constitution must be a political process, not a trade process. All political parties should be involved in the process and find a solution. Even if it is an issue of several words or a comma, consensus is needed – Milanovic said.

Commenting on relations with Slovenia and the unsuccessful meeting between Croatian and Slovenian prime ministers Ivo Sanader and Borut Pahor, Milanovic said he expected more of Croatia’s diplomacy. On Monday he will demand answers to questions to questions such as the possible lasting of the Ahtisaari group’s mandate.