ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - Transparency International Croatia (TIH) has welcomed the second parliamentary reading of a bill on the prevention of conflicts of interest in the performance of public duties, saying it provides the basis for
a more efficient and fairer management of public assets.
ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - Transparency International Croatia (TIH)
has welcomed the second parliamentary reading of a bill on the
prevention of conflicts of interest in the performance of public
duties, saying it provides the basis for a more efficient and fairer
management of public assets. #L#
Although the new law will refer only to the new parliamentary make-
up, TIH president Zorislav Antun Petrovic told reporters on Friday
that according to the media, under the bill parliament president
Zlatko Tomcic, Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac, and Istria County
prefect Ivan Jakovcic would be in conflict of interest because they
are part-owners of some companies.
Petrovic said this did not include Public Works Minister Radimir
Cacic because he transferred his shares in a company to an
attorney's office.
The bill defines for the first time who are state officials,
determines how to prevent conflicts of interest, and foresees
penalties for officials in conflict of interest.
Petrovic said the passing of the law was only the first step in the
prevention of conflicts of interest.
The effectiveness of the law will depend the most on MPs themselves,
he said, adding that the biggest penalty for officials breaching
the law's provisions will not be material but the publishing of data
about the conflict of interest. "Voters will pass the most severe
punishment".
Under the bill, officials will no longer be able to be on management
or supervisory boards of companies, except for state-owned
companies or those of special interest for the state. In these
cases, however, officials will not be allowed to receive
compensation, it was said at the conference.
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