ZAGREB, March 1 (Hina) - The opposition benches in parliament said on Friday a bill on the privatisation of the power supply company HEP had many inconsistencies, was a result of commitments with the International Monetary Fund, and
that the HEP privatisation was unnecessarily rushed. The benches of the ruling coalition's five parties, despite reservations about some solutions, in principle support the proposed privatisation model. They urged the government to submit a detailed HEP privatisation proposal before the second parliamentary reading. Most benches are agreed parliament's role in the privatisation of power supply companies should be bolstered, and that in the privatisation of HEP attention must be paid to the social aspect. The social security of HEP's employees must be taken into account, said the bench representatives of the ruling coalition's Social Democrats (SDP), Croatian Peasants' P
ZAGREB, March 1 (Hina) - The opposition benches in parliament said
on Friday a bill on the privatisation of the power supply company
HEP had many inconsistencies, was a result of commitments with the
International Monetary Fund, and that the HEP privatisation was
unnecessarily rushed.
The benches of the ruling coalition's five parties, despite
reservations about some solutions, in principle support the
proposed privatisation model. They urged the government to submit a
detailed HEP privatisation proposal before the second
parliamentary reading.
Most benches are agreed parliament's role in the privatisation of
power supply companies should be bolstered, and that in the
privatisation of HEP attention must be paid to the social aspect.
The social security of HEP's employees must be taken into account,
said the bench representatives of the ruling coalition's Social
Democrats (SDP), Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), and the Liberal
Party (LS).
The opposition benches criticised the government's approach to the
privatisation of HEP.
The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) maintains the public is being
burdened with dogma stating that a fast privatisation of HEP is a
commitment to the European Union. France has a similar company, it
is the biggest in Europe and has not been privatised, said Zlatko
Matesa. The HDZ maintains Croatia is not obliged to privatise HEP at
once.
The Croatian Party of Rights also objects to the privatisation of
HEP. "It is the final act in the dismantling of the Croatian power
system," said Tonci Tadic.
Under the government's bill, at least 15 percent of HEP would be
privatised, although it will most probably be 25 percent, as
announced when the government was formulating the bill.
Seven percent of HEP shares would be allocated to war veterans
without compensation, and another seven sold to employees under
favourable conditions. Before privatisation, HEP should undergo
restructuring. The electricity transmission sector and the
independent market operator would be excluded from privatisation.
(hina) ha sb