Croatian president to name PM-designate or call an early election on Wednesday

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said on Tuesday evening she would name a prime minister-designate or call an early election on Wednesday after holding the last consultations for forming a new government.

She would hold the last, and the fifth, round of consultations on Wednesday afternoon following 8th parliamentary election, in which no party won a majority needed for forming a government, she said after the fourth round negotiations with no any results.

"Tomorrow afternoon I will hold the fifth, and the last, round of consultations. By tomorrow evening, we will either have a prime minister-designate or I will appoint an interim non-partisan government and call early parliamentary elections," Grabar-Kitarovic said.

In the 8th parliamentary elections on Nov. 8, ruling Social Democratic Party's coalition "Croatia Is Growing" won 56 seats in the 151-seat parliament, while its main rival "Patriotic Coalition" led by the opposition Croatian Democratic Union, gained 59 seats. But both of them fell short of the 76 seats needed for a majority to form a government.

The third winner, the Bridge (MOST), a new political party, will play a key role with its 19 seats in forming a government.

Earlier this month the Bridge proposed a tripartite government, including "Croatia Is Growing", "Patriotic Coalition" and the Bridge itself, but did not get response from the other two main parties.

Under the constitution, the president must give the mandate to form the government to the person who enjoys the confidence of the majority of all MPs. Endit