Speaking to the press in Koprivnica, he said "the government, with the stubborn and professorial position it has towards all partners in society, has brought (the unions) into a position which can harm us all."

The government should have been more serious, should not have downplayed the unions' demands, social dialogue should have been established, he said.

Asked if he would defend the unions' demands if he were prime minister, Karamarako said he would stress something else in that case. "I would bring good investments and create room for entrepreneurs. Also, I would cut taxes, whereby I would stimulate entrepreneurs, consumers and manufacturers, which would create jobs. This would facilitate the solving of that part of the unions' problems."

Karamarako said the policy of tax pressure and cuts was discouraging because slashed salaries made citizens poorer consumers. "This also reduces output and we have this vicious circle."

As for PM Zoran Milanovic's "objection to my expression that (the government) should be dismantled... They are literally demolishing the rule of law by obstructing the Constitutional Court, commenting on its decisions, proclaiming it a political court."

"There is an imbalance here. Something here isn't in accordance with common sense," Karamarko said, adding that the HDZ would confirm its victory at the June 2 local election runoff.