ZAGREB, June 26 (Hina) - After discussing the situation in Osijek-Baranja County, the presidents of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) and Democratic Centre (DC)
agreed on Thursday not to take part in the voting in parliament as of next week in protest of the ruling coalition's violations of the law and Constitution. The parties said they would only vote on bills adjusting Croatian legislation to that of the EU and bills they had sponsored.
ZAGREB, June 26 (Hina) - After discussing the situation in Osijek-
Baranja County, the presidents of the Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Croatian Party of
Rights (HSP) and Democratic Centre (DC) agreed on Thursday not to
take part in the voting in parliament as of next week in protest of
the ruling coalition's violations of the law and Constitution.
The parties said they would only vote on bills adjusting Croatian
legislation to that of the EU and bills they had sponsored. #L#
A press release issued by the HDZ secretariat says the parties are
also considering other steps to solve the unacceptable situation in
Osijek-Baranja County.
HDZ president Ivo Sanader, HSLS president Drazen Budisa, HSP
president Anto Djapic and DC president Mato Granic sent a letter of
protest to the ruling coalition which on Tuesday, with a majority of
votes, rejected a request for the credible interpretation of
Article 84, Paragraph 1, Item 5 of the Law on Local and Regional
Self-Government regarding the situation in the Osijek-Baranja
County Assembly.
"In the (Osijek Baranja County) assembly, 26 of 51 councillors
submitted their resignations, which makes a majority in the
assembly. Following that act, the assembly no longer had a quorum
and could not convene under its statute. Councillors of the HDZ,
HSLS, HSP and the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) who tendered their
resignations are requesting new elections in Osijek-Baranja
County. But, the assembly, under the SDP's leadership, has
continued to operate unlawfully and contrary to the Constitution
and the county statute. Since this constitutes a violation of the
law, the HDZ, HSLS, HSP and DC call on the government to do
everything so as to bring the situation in the county assembly in
line with the law, i.e. to call elections," the press release
reads.
The four parties today again asked of the ruling coalition to set a
date of parliamentary elections, adding that in all democratic
countries the date of elections was known to the public several
months in advance.
(hina) lml sb