ZAGREB, Feb 24 (Hina) - All three proposals for the electoral law envisage a cut in the number of MPs, but they differ in electoral system models.
ZAGREB, Feb 24 (Hina) - All three proposals for the electoral law
envisage a cut in the number of MPs, but they differ in electoral
system models. #L#
The proposals have to date been made by the Democratic Centre (DC),
the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) and Mato Arlovic of the Social
Democratic Party (SDP).
Arlovic and the opposition DC advocate a drop from the current 151
MPs to 120, while the HSS suggests 130 MPs. All of them justify the
cut in the number of deputies with the necessity to reduce costs and
render parliament more efficient.
The drafts, however, differ in the proposed electoral systems and
the models for the election of Diaspora representatives.
The DC party suggests proportional representation as the method for
the election of deputies, i.e. 20 deputies from new six
constituencies. Thus, each constituency will have around 650,000
eligible voters.
Arlovic proposes electing 120 MPs in ten constituencies, as is the
case now, but instead of the current 14, 12 deputies would be
elected. They would be chosen in line with the proportional system
from "open rosters", i.e. apart from voting for a certain list, the
electorate would also be able to vote for individual candidates on
the list.
The HSS is in favour of the combination of both electoral systems.
Under its proposal, 65 deputies would be elected in line with the
first-past-the post system in 65 constituencies, while another 65
would be elected in line with the PR system in one constituency.
The HSS and the DC are for a separate electoral unit (constituency)
for representatives of the Croatian Diaspora, while the SDP whip
proposes that no separate slate should be made.
The DC proposes a roster with a non-fixed quota, i.e. the system
applied at the last parliamentary ballot.
The HSS is for at least three representatives of the Diaspora so
that one would represent Croatian immigrants in Europe, one for
those in North and South America and one for Australia, Asia and
Africa.
According to Arlovic, Croatian citizens who have the citizenship of
another country and reside outside Croatia would have the right to
vote under the same conditions as Croatian citizens, so the
Diaspora list would be cancelled. Those citizens would have to have
permanent residence in Croatia and would be able to put up their
candidacy in any party or the independent list. Citizens in the
constituency where such candidates have residence would be able to
vote for them.
Three or five deputies would be elected in this way and if they are
not elected from party or independent lists, they would be elected
subsequently from lists which have won the most votes in most
constituencies.
With regard to the election of representatives of minorities, all
the three proposals abide by relevant provisions of the
constitutional law on ethnic minorities' rights so that minorities
will have eight seats in parliament.
(hina) ms