IDS chairman Boris Miletic rules out pre-election coalition.
Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) will not enter into any coalitions prior to the coming elections, but will cooperate with the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Alliance (PGS), with whom it will sign an agreement on pre-election cooperation. The decision was made at the meeting of the IDS Council in Pazin, after all options have been considered, reports Novi List on September 19, 2015.
“IDS has once again confirmed its unity and consistency in the fight for the interests of Istria. We took into account all the relevant facts, and I am sure we have made the decision that is in the best interest of our citizens. We must be consistent and insist on the protection of Istria and its interests, and this is certainly the best way to do it”, said IDS chairman Boris Miletić.
He pointed out that IDS and PGS are leaders of regionalism in Croatia and that they have, since their foundation, consistently advocated decentralization, a model of administration and economic development which is the most effective and far closest to the citizens.
Miletić added that the alliance between IDS and PGS gives additional strength to all those who support the decentralization of the country, and also increases the chances of victory in the parliamentary elections against the right-wing parties.
“IDS and PGS are both parties which genuinely care about their regions and they are the only real guarantee that the voices of our local communities will be heard in Zagreb”, concluded Miletić.
Asked by reporters whether this means that IDS will definitely not enter a coalition with SDP and HNS, Miletić responded that it is difficult to expect that SDP could soon provide answers to questions related to decentralization and propose a related electoral manifesto, since it had not done it so far.
“Our conditions are clear from the very beginning. It would be highly irresponsible for us to enter into arrangements which are full of unknowns. Without a clear agreement on the decentralization of the country and a signed guarantee that the interests of Istria will be protected, we cannot enter into an alliance with anyone”, concluded Miletić.
At the meeting of the IDS Council, members also pointed out that the upcoming parliamentary elections are of great importance for Istria and Primorje, and that only strong regional parties can guarantee that the voices of these regions will be heard in the parliament.
