The referendum issue is primarily a political issue over which Croatia is in a certain political and not only economic crisis, Josipovic said after meeting representatives of the Teachers' Trade Union.

"It's not just a question of whether the referendum should be held or not, but a much deeper one," he said, adding that by collecting signatures for the referendum the unions had shown their strength and that they can mobilise people.

"Underestimating that would be a serious mistake," Josipovic said, adding the solution should acknowledge the message citizens gave by responding to the question put by the unions.

"Any solution must respect the will of the citizens, be it holding the referendum or an agreement between the government and the unions, as a legal basis for such a solution can be found too," Josipovic said, stressing that neither parliament nor the government nor unions nor the opposition "have the right to disregard that will".

He added that "parliament, the government and the unions must find a way out of this crisis, which has become more than an economic crisis".

Agreeing that mistakes were made during the collection of signatures for the referendum, Josipovic said that, although lists included the names of the dead too, the dominant will of the citizens was clear.

"An impressive number of people put their signature to the union's motion. That's why one should be pragmatic about this. The crisis should be overcome in such a way that no one feels defeated, by finding a solution that gives the economy a chance, while protecting workers' rights," he said, voicing confidence in a solution "that isn't the prolongation of the problem for another couple of months or the deepening of the economic and political crisis, but a way out of the crisis".

"Everybody bears responsibility for that, primarily those in power, the government, but others on the political scene too," Josipovic said, but would not say if the government had acted cowardly by shifting the decision as to whether the referendum should be held to the parliamentary Committee on the Constitution, Standing Orders and Political System.

He agreed with the assessment by the press that the government had shown its efficiency in checking the referendum signatures, while the list of war veterans remained an issue, as the exact number of fake veterans had not been established yet.

Josipovic once again pushed for disclosing the list, saying there was no reason not to publish it. He reiterated that he also pushed for passing a law that would provide for that as well as for putting election legislation in order, including voter lists.

"That's possible. I agree that with the referendum signatures the government has shown that it can be done. And we all expect that this not be done selectively, only when it is politically suitable or not," Josipovic said, underlining the need to "bring the state in order".

"The list of war veterans, voter lists, and the upgrading of the election system are very important political and legal goals that should be achieved as soon as possible," said the president.