Croatia's campaign for the early parliamentary elections in September is heating up with politicians promising populist measures, local media reported Tuesday.

The two biggest parties, the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), share similar programs, promising economic growth, tax cuts and new jobs.

The HDZ, who has a new leader Andrej Plenkovic, said it would create 180,000 new jobs. They promise a lower VAT and increase in salaries. On the other hand, SDP and its leader Zoran Milanovic are talking about 140,000 new jobs, reducing the tax burden on labor and stimulating youth employment.

In the last parliamentary elections in November, a coalition gathered around the SDP won 56 of the 151 seats, while a coalition around HDZ won 59. The Bridge of Independent Lists (MOST), finished third with 19 seats and later teamed-up with the HDZ in a center-right government that collapsed after five months.

MOST, the third party, will likely again hold key to Croatia's next government. According to the most recent poll broadcasted by RTL television in one of Croatia's 12 constituencies, the results could be exactly the same as in November election. That means tough coalition talks, negotiations and weeks of horse-trading to form a government.

The SDP has formed a pre-election coalition with three smaller parties. They hope to build an alliance with the left leaning regional IDS party and national minorities. On the other hand, the HDZ is going to the polls without pre-election partners but expect to form the government with other smaller parties or MOST.

MOST is promising economic reforms and citizens debt refinancing that would lead to the rise of consumption and investments.

Source : XINHUA