Zoran Milanovic

The head of Croatia's left-wing Labour Party, Nansi Tireli, on Friday said the party is close to join the governing centre-left coalition in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Croatia's new President, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, is at odds with the centre-left government over who commands the country's armed forces in peacetime.

Grabar Kitarovic last Friday maintained that she commanded the army in peacetime, adding that a planned military parade for August would not therefore be held.

Croatia's parliament has named Berislav Sipus, former deputy minister of culture, as the country's new culture minister.

Sipus was acting culture minister since late March when Andrea Zlatar Violic resigned after financial irregularities in the ministry's financial transactions were revealed.

Croats faced with court seizures of their personal bank accounts and with unpayable loans that result in forced evictions are organising a series of protests in Zagreb.

"Association Blocked", representing people with blocked bank accounts, is to hold a protest on Thursday in front of the government building in Zagreb.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev began a two-day visit to Zagreb and Croatia on Tuesday, meeting President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic and Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic to discuss issues of mutual economic interest and boost ties.

Plevneliev was the first head of state to visit the Croatian capital since Grabar Kitarovic took office in February.

Former Croatian President Ivo Josipovic told a TV show on the N1 network on Tuesday that he is about to form a new centre-left party.

"It will be a party of young people and people who have already established their careers. Let the name remain a secret for now," Josipovic stated.

Vulin and Matic provoked a diplomatic scandal between Serbia and Croatia

Croatian Minister for Defenders Predrag Matic has advised Serbian Labor Minister Aleksandar Vulin "to go get medical treatment."

Matic was commenting on a statement made by Vulin earlier on Wednesday, and explained that his recommendation applied "both to Vojislav Seselj and Vulin."

Serbian minister told to "get medical treatment"

BELGRADE -- Croatian Minister for Defenders Predrag Matic has advised Serbian Labor Minister Aleksandar Vulin "to go get medical treatment."

Matic was commenting on a statement made by Vulin earlier on Wednesday, and explained that his recommendation applied "both to Vojislav Seselj and Vulin."

BRATISLAVA - Serbia will not recall its ambassador from Croatia nor send any negative signal to Croatia, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said late Wednesday.

"I think that Serbia and Croatia need to cooperate far better," Vucic told Radio-Television of Serbia in Bratislava.

PM: Serbia will not recall ambassador from Croatia

BRATISLAVA -- Serbia will not recall its ambassador from Croatia nor send any negative signal to Croatia, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said late on Wednesday.

"I think that Serbia and Croatia need to cooperate far better," Vucic told Radio-Television of Serbia in Bratislava, Slovakia.