Croatian President Stjepan Mesic authorized on Saturday evening incumbent Prime Minister Ivo Sanader to form a new government following the Nov. 25 general elections.
"I entrusted ... Sanader with the mandate as he assured me that he has the support of 77 elected parliamentary deputies," Mesic told the press after the second round of consultations on the premier-designate.
In the inconclusive elections held three weeks ago, the ruling conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) led by Sanader won 66seats -- 10 more than the leftist main opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), but still missing 11 for a majority in the153-seat parliament.
The HDZ has said it was close to concluding a coalition deal with the third-strongest alliance of the Liberals and the Peasants Party, which has eight parliamentary seats. It also could get support from some representatives of smaller parties and ethnic minorities.
However, the SDP still did not give up. Its leader Zoran Milanovic said on Saturday that he had asked President Mesic to give him the mandate to form a center-left government.
If Sanader fails to win a majority in parliament, Mesic could then ask the SDP to try to form a government. If the party fails too, new elections could be called.
Source: Xinhua
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