Milanović offered me a position as a Member of the European Parliament in exchange for power in Istria

The Istrian County Prefect and president of the IDS, Ivan Jakovčić, stated today in the ‘Interview of the Week’ program on Croatian Radio that regardless of his announced departure from politics, he does not intend to do so.

– Although I intended to withdraw from the political scene, I will most likely not do so. After everything I have experienced in recent months, I will remain in politics for a while longer, as I do not want Istria to be governed from Zagreb, as some think – said Jakovčić, adding that until January 2014, when his term ends, he will be at the helm of the IDS, and after that, he will most likely appear as a candidate in the European Parliament elections.

When asked whether it is true that Prime Minister and president of the SDP, Zoran Milanović, offered him a position as a Member of the European Parliament in exchange for power in Pula, Jakovčić said that it was ‘Milanović’s offer’.

The proposal existed, but I believe that politics is not a trade and that Pula should be won in elections, as well as a seat in the European Parliament. I have the right to fight democratically for a seat in the European Parliament, emphasized Jakovčić, adding that he cannot ‘sit idly by and watch the intentions, or rather the incorrect moves of the SDP, including Damir Kajin’.

– I wanted to withdraw from politics with dignity, but obviously, I cannot. All of this makes no sense, and that is why I have decided to stay in politics for a while longer – said Ivan Jakovčić.

He reiterated today that the ruling coalition has no alternative in Croatia because, as he said, ‘the HDZ is not ready to lead the country due to internal party divisions, while the Labourists have good ideas and an interesting program, but they also have a relatively small number of votes and cannot independently take care of the country’.

When asked whether the recent disagreements between the IDS and SDP put his party’s participation in the ruling coalition into question, Jakovčić replied that ‘the IDS has its stable voter base and supports this coalition and does not question it’, adding that his party will win again in Istria in the upcoming local elections and that ‘he will not be a burden’.

Regarding the internal party elections for the county, Jakovčić emphasizes that the IDS has its candidate for the prefect, Valter Flega, who has strong support from voters.

– However, I am sure that if I were to run again, the victory would again be convincing – said Jakovčić. He also reiterated that the citizens of Istria do not want the Plomin C coal-fired power plant because, as he said, ‘it is incomprehensible that in a tourist region, facilities are still being built on coal, rather than on gas’. Jakovčić expressed dissatisfaction that the ‘Brijuni Riviera project has simply been halted’, which, according to his assessment, would solve the crisis in Istria and largely address the problem of unemployment by building ten golf courses.

– I think this is a matter of political spite that is ultimately harmful to Croatia. I hope that wisdom and reason will prevail – emphasized Jakovčić.

When asked about the party’s stance on the introduction of a property tax, he said that ‘the IDS feels punished within the ruling coalition’ and that it is not surprising that this party was not informed about the details regarding the introduction of this tax, but ‘I am surprised that the HNS was not informed about it’. Tax reform is necessary, but not one that will further burden the citizens, concluded Ivan Jakovčić, adding that he has not yet spoken with Prime Minister Milanović on this matter.