A general election in Croatia on November 22?
Parliamentary elections on November 22 – that it an option that is currently under consideration in the ruling coalition, according to a report in Novi List on July 31, 2015. The greatest advocate of that date is Croatian People’s Party (HNS). HNS also demands that the new agreement is signed as soon as possible, and that will probably happen on Monday or Tuesday in Zagreb, when the coalition agreement should be signed by SDP, HNS, HSU and the Labour Party.
IDS will certainly not be a part of the coalition at this stage. That was confirmed by party chairman Boris Miletić, explaining that the election date has not yet been officially released. He expects that in September, when the IDS Council meets, negotiations with SDP and others will finally be concluded and that IDS could then possibly join them. But, the decision is solely on the party council, Miletić emphasized, adding that Prime Minister Milanović has not talked to him recently.
SDP believes that the coalition must win 67 seats to be able to form a government. HNS will get 7.5 seats in parliament (in one constituency, they will switch a candidate mid-term with SDP), while the Croatian Pensioners’ Party and the Labour Party will get three certain seats, plus two additional candidates on the party lists. SDSS will be a partner in the 9th electoral constituency, with one candidate.
It is believed that the election will be held on November 22 because Finance Minister Boris Lalovac is intensively working on the budget documents for 2016. Lalovac is quickly finishing the necessary work and, as things stand, will be able to close the budget without problems. Before the elections, Finance Minister Lalovac will propose a whole package of laws which will lower taxes on salaries, especially those of the middle class, and raise taxes on the highest salaries. SDP believes that this proposal would receive the support of voters. In addition, it is expected that the tourist season will be very successful, and that other political news might have a positive effect on the ruling coalition prospects in November.
“If all the indicators are in our favor, then why not go before the voters as soon as possible”, said one member of the SDP Presidency yesterday.
There is talk that maybe the Parliament will meet on August 26 at an extraordinary meeting, when the decision to call the elections would be adopted and the current Parliament dissolved.
