The fourth round of negotiations between HDZ and MOST has concluded.
HDZ and MOST continued for the fourth week their negotiations about forming a government. Unlike previous meetings, today they met at MOST’s headquarters, reports Jutarnji List on October 3, 2016.
After the meeting ended, party leaders Andrej Plenković (HDZ) and Božo Petrov (MOST) spoke to reporters.
“This was a truly fruitful meeting. We have talked about the organization of the future government and about some of the proposals which have been put forward by both sides. It is not over, but I believe that we should conclude all negotiations by the end of this week”, said Petrov.
“I would like to thank MOST for organizing this meeting at their premises. I can say that I am very satisfied. We have discussed the structure of the future government, and I can confirm that we are gradually moving towards the end of the negotiations. We have enough time this week to agree on all issues and I am confident that on Monday at the latest we are going to be in a position to officially receive a mandate from the President to form a government. However, we have a rule that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”, said HDZ president Plenković, who will almost certainly be the Prime Minister-Designate.
Asked who will be members of the new government, Petrov did not give a clear answer. “We will talk about it after we conclude all the negotiations. I would not like to discuss the allocation of responsibilities and ministries, and I especially do not want to discuss any names. We are not conducting these negotiations through the media and we do not leak any information about it to the press”, said Petrov.
Plenković was asked whether the number of ministries would be increased or reduced. “It will be about the same as before, but you will know all about it after the negotiations”, said Plenković.
Petrov also commented on HDZ’s idea for the government to have four deputy prime ministers. “Why not? This is not a revolutionary new idea and we can agree to that in principle. We will present our conclusions to the public after we agree everything”, explained Petrov.
Since there are rumours that the two parties cannot agree which will get the position of Speaker of Parliament, Plenković was asked how important was that position. “It is important. Very important”, said Plenković.
