SDP SENDS TO SABOR DRAFT ELECTION LAW

ZAGREB, Feb 28 (Hina) - The Social Democrats' (SDP) bench on Friday forwarded into parliamentary procedure an election bill defining Croatia as a single electoral unit with a proportional election system and "semi-open" rosters. #L# Party whip Mato Arlovic told reporters in parliament the SDP was putting forward its own draft since negotiations with coalition partners about a joint bill "are tardy". As it is not probable that agreement on election rules will be reached within the deadline envisaged by the Constitution, at least one year before elections, the SDP has proposed its own draft, Arlovic said. Commenting on the main reasons for the adoption of the new election law, Arlovic said they included the adjustment of the law to the Constitutional Law on Minority Rights, the amending of the Constitution due to the dissolution of the House of Counties, and the adoption of changes with regard to the Diaspora's right to vote. He dismissed media claims that the SDP was trying to impose its own election model on other parties. The SDP's proposal has been supported in principle by the Croatian People's Party and the Croatian Party of Rights, while other parties support it tacitly, Arlovic said. He believes parliament would manage to discuss the bill in two readings and adopt it by the constitutional deadline of April 2. The SDP whip did not exclude the possibility of parties reaching a compromise on a "third election model", which would be discussed in parliament on Monday. The SDP proposes that Croatia be a single constituency with a proportional election system, that the number of deputies be reduced from 151 to 120, with eight minority and three Diaspora deputies. It also opposes the election of Diaspora representatives in a special constituency and from a special list, because, Arlovic says, the Diaspora must have the same rights as other Croatian citizens. He explained that the system of "semi-open" rosters means that the voter, apart from voting for party lists, can also vote for individual candidates from those lists. The party proposes that the election threshold remain 5%, both for coalitions and parties, which, Arlovic says, provides a good basis for smaller and similar parties to form coalitions on joint lists. The SDP wants to stop the fragmentation of the political scene, Arlovic added. He further proposes that election campaign funds be limited to 15 million kuna and that deputies be not allowed to hold the posts of mayor or deputy mayor, or work as professionals in executive bodies of local self-government, councillors and active military personnel. The SDP proposal also envisages that the President of the Republic cannot run in parliamentary elections. (hina) rml