The president of the Opposition's Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party, Tomislav Karamarko, said on Saturday the verdict against First Deputy Prime Minister Radimir Cacic represented a mortgage on the government's work because the government would continue to the live in the shadow of this case, given that the appeals process was to follow.
"It is not good, and we called on Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic to show determination and principles and enable his government to function in peace, freed of this case and the proceedings," Karamarko told reporters.
Asked if that meant that Cacic should resign, Karamarko said that would be a moral thing to do.
Asked to comment on Milanovic's statements about the judiciary, Karamarko said one could not toy with the judiciary and judicial issues. He called for seriousness in this case, urging the government to refrain from making rash statements. "Milanovic is at the helm of the government and he should be more level-headed and more reasonable," Karamarko said.
Asked if Cacic's leaving the government would bring into question the entire coalition, Karamarko said the situation in the coalition was not great, adding that whatever Cacic's possible leaving meant, the government and the prime minister must assume responsibility.
Cacic was found guilty on Friday of causing a car crash with two fatalities in Hungary in 2010.
A Hungarian court gave him a 22-month suspended sentence with three years' probation.
