ZAGREB, March 3, 2018 – Addressing the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) main committee in Zagreb on Saturday, its leader Davor Bernardić said that, after the forthcoming convention, the party would be stronger, more united and ready to assume responsibility for governing Croatia.
Bernardić said that the convention, that is to be held next Saturday, will produce a statute that will make this opposition party more decentralised and more democratic. He said that the party would also introduce an obligation for its election lists to have 50% female candidates and that a female and a male candidate should be listed one after another.
In his speech, Bernardić criticised the economic situation in the country, saying that Croatia’s GDP had not grown in comparison to 1990. “Our employment rate is below 60%, the number of pension recipients has doubled and each year 60,000 people leave their homes,” Bernardić said.
He said that the goals of the SDP platform “For a Better Society” would be to rekindle hope of a better life in Croatia and to restore confidence into institutions. “We want a Croatia offering equal opportunities to everybody and not to be a country that gives preference to companions in business and their children.”
Bernardić called for legislation being fairer and for public health services and education being available to everyone. He said that his party was also advocating some civilisation steps forward and in this context he mentioned the ratification of the Istanbul convention. He also criticised the recent conclusions made by a commission established to give guidelines for how to treat insignia of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century.
“Rest assured that we will be more prepared and stronger and resolved in efforts to build a better and happier Croatia for all,” Bernardić said at the end of his speech.
The SDP-led coalition was in power in Croatia from 2000 until the end of 2003 during the premiership of Ivica Račan, and also during the premiership of Zoran Milanović from 23 December 2011 to 22 January 2016. Bernardić succeeded Milanović at the helm of the party in late 2016.
