"President Josipovic called the consultations in good faith. Unfortunately, the meeting has produced no result, but certain things are now clearer to us. It appears that nearly all the parties are in favour of regular elections being held as reasonably quickly as possible. Only one party seems to be isolated on this issue. I think that most parties think reasonably and in national interests, while some are more concerned about their own interests," Milanovic told reporters after a convention of his party's branch in Koprivnica, 100 kilometres northeast of Zagreb.

When asked if President Josipovic had taken sides, because it turned out that he had similar views like the SDP, Milanovic said that was not the case.

"The President is expected to have an opinion. The SDP conducts its own policy and the President is independent in his work, and we think that he was very fair to all the parties, including the (ruling) HDZ," he said.

When asked if he would respond to the invitation from Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor for a meeting and if so, under what terms, Milanovic said: "No one here is giving anyone any ultimatums nor is anyone being forced to capitulate, but only to determine the rules of a fair game for elections. As far as I recall, the Prime Minister has still not come to Parliament."

When asked what would happen if elections were not called by the end of the year, Milanovic said that that would not be good because citizens were dissatisfied.

"Most people in Croatia, and it seems most political parties as well, think that elections should be held as soon as possible, and certainly before the referendum (on EU entry)," Milanovic said, stressing that the SDP had never demanded immediate elections.

"We are giving the ruling coalition space to decide on a reasonable solution. We are not blackmailing them or giving them ultimatums. ... We certainly do support Croatia's integration with the EU," he said.

The convention was attended by some 400 members of the SDP.