[ELECTIONS 2003] Groupings

Defying all expectations and listening to some common sense for a change, Dražen Budiša (Drazen Budisa) and Mate Granić (Mate Granic) have agreed to form joint tickets. In 6 districts the tickets be led by HSLS, and in 4 districts by 4 DC candidates. They expect to win 20-25 seats in Sabor. Their estimate is over-optimistic; they would be lucky if they end up with half of that number. But that would nevertheless represent something of a boost for Sanader and improving his chances for unseating Račan's (Racan's) coalition.

Seeing where the wind is blowing, SDP reacted by offering olive's branch to Libra. Of course, their representatives stress that they will not make grand national coalition with 1-2 % party, but that some ad hoc arrangements on "local levels" are possible. In other words, SDP needs Libra, but one or two seats are best Libra can hope at this stage.

In the same time, SDP publicly scuttled its coalition with PGS, small left-wing regional party from Rijeka (whose representatives entered Sabor on SDP ticket in 2000). But PGS representatives don't have much to worry, because they found shelter on HNS ticket.