"This is an act of political violence prompted by the HDZ's fear that the parliamentary majority could be brought into question at an awkward moment," Nikola Vuljanic of the HNS/PGS club of deputies said during the debate.
He criticised the HDZ for trying to legalise an unlawful decision which the parliamentary committee on the Rules of Procedure and Constitution made earlier this year to ensure a million kuna for independent deputies for their four-year-term.
"The amendments make it possible for independent deputies who leave their parties after falling out with them to be awarded one million kuna, which seems to be a reward for previous and future loyalty," he added.
Damir Kajin of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) described the debate as amoral. He joined the opposition's assessment that the funds should be awarded to the party which nominates the candidate on its slate for the parliament.
Luka Roic of the Peasant Party (HSS) also criticised the amendments as immoral and unfair.
Nenad Stazic of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said the amendments were the product of the HDZ's fears that it might have problems with ensuring the parliamentary majority with regard to a possible change of position of independent MPs and those representing ethnic minorities.
Two MPs from parties which make up the parliamentary majority, Silvano Hrelja of the Croatian Party of Pensioners (HSU) and Milorad Pupovac of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), were also dissatisfied with the proposed solution.
Hrelja described it as the subversion of parliamentarism, and Pupovac said that other models must be found to compensate for costs which independent deputies incur while working in their constituencies.