By assuming responsibility for Croatia, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is assuming responsibility for the security of citizens and the state, SDP president Zoran Milanovic said at the end of the party's convention in Zagreb on Saturday.
Milanovic said the SDP, if it received public support at the next election, would ensure that the employed preserved their jobs and the unemployed exercised their right to decent work and pay. It would also ensure that young people got an education and took their place in society, that old people duly received their pensions and social care, and that "everyone lives in a safe and civilised system protected by law".
Milanovic said the present social, economic and political situation in the country was full of anxiety and that Croatia was "a country of broken spirit".
"One party has been in power for seven years. The result is that most of the achievements made at the start of the decade have been halted," he said. The international reputation of Croatia has been degraded by "scandals involving the very leadership of the governing party".
"This has been the reign of a runaway prime minister who hid from responsibility and the reign of his political shadows who are unable to cope with responsibility," Milanovic said.
Milanovic said the crisis in Croatia was not just economic or imported, but that it was the result of the government's disorientation in development policy, labour disincentives and high taxes.
"Our crisis is our own. It is an economic, political and social crisis, but it all originated from politics," the SDP leader said.
Milanovic said that people had lost trust in political and public institutions, in politics and political parties. He said that such a situation was dangerous because it was giving rise to hopelessness, and that it was time for change.
"Some societies buckle under and give in to false prophets and manipulators. Smart and resolute people need no prophets. They choose changes and the right direction. Let knowledge and determination choose Croatia's future," Milanovic said.
"The SDP is not afraid of changes. We are sure that Croatia has no such fear," he said, adding that changes would require a broad political and social alliance with citizens as the guarantee of a successful government.
Milanovic said the SDP's strength made it a possible and natural centre of convergence of other democratic parties and individuals who were ready to contribute their knowledge and determination in tackling future challenges.
"A political coalition is the guarantee of a democratic and incorruptible government. (...) The SDP is ready to bring together diverse, yet related political parties," Milanovic said.
