Commenting on the Social Democratic Party's proposal that he take the tourism minister's office after Veljko Ostojic's resignation on Saturday, Jakovcic said there were much better and more expert people than him for the office, and that he was one of the most competent politicians to represent Croatia in the EP.

"The moment in the country is too serious to give ministerial positions like this," he said on a Croatian Television talk show.

"If I enter the European Parliament, I will fulfill my life's dream," Jakovcic said, adding that he would retire from politics if he did not win the voters' confidence in upcoming elections.

He said he was surprised by Ostojic's resignation but that his party colleague made "the right decision."

"Ostojic made the decision alone, and Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, contrary to what the media speculate, had nothing to do with it," Jakovcic said, adding that he had not been acquainted with alleged wrongdoing in the purchase of an attractive piece of land in Bale over which Ostojic resigned.

"The investigation will show, because if someone did wrong, they must be held to account. Veljko Ostojic is a friend, but I'm not his lawyer. The investigation will show the truth," he said, adding that Ostojic resigned so that the case did not damage the reputation of the IDS, of which he is still a member.

Jakovcic said that after the recent developments, he expected Milanovic to invite him to talks by Tuesday.

Speaking of the situation in the ruling coalition, in which the IDS is a junior party, he said "it's clear to everyone that the Plan 21 (platform) no longer exists." "It's not the strongest that survive but those willing to accept offers at any moment. We have to change and our problem in the coalition is that we aren't changing and we lack communication."

Asked if he would step down as IDS president next January, Jakovcic said perhaps the time had come "for new people."

He went on to say that he fell out with former IDS member Damir Kajin because of former PM Ivo Sanader, adding that the IDS would continue to support the coalition government.

Asked by the host about a land purchase in Istria "at the price of approximately one box of cigarettes per square metre," Jakovcic said the land in question was farmland and that there was nothing contentious in him buying state-owned land.

Asked how he could be paying back a EUR 450,000 loan, Jakovcic first said his ex-wife was paying one part of the loan and his company another. He than said his company was repaying the loan at EUR 5,000 a month and reiterated that his ex-wife was repaying that loan.