The Social Democrats (SDP) were the most vocal in their criticism of the bill, stating that the government wanted to form new local self-government units only to make it possible for the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) to achieve the best possible results in the upcoming local elections.
Nenad Stazic of the SDP recalled that a year ago Prime Minister Ivo Sanader was decidedly against the establishment of new municipalities, which he said was what the bill proposed.
Zvonimir Mrsic of the SDP believes that it is not good for local self-government units and citizens to pass laws shortly before elections.
"Fifty-two days before the elections, we do not know under which laws the elections will be held, how many local units there will be, where local self-government units will be seated, and what their powers are," Mrsic said, calling on the government to withdraw the bill.
Antun Palaric, state secretary at the Central Office for State Administration, dismissed the criticisms, stating that the government had proposed the bill on the basis of civil initiatives and the needs of local self-government units.
HDZ deputies defended the bill, stating that it would enable speedier development of the local self-government system.
The bill provides for the establishment of nine new municipalities and the change of names of some settlements.