SERB REPRESENTATIVES IN VUKOVAR CITY GOVERNMENT

VUKOVAR, April 30 (Hina) - At Tuesday's session of the Vukovar City Council, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) was joined by the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) in governing the city. Pilip Karaula (HDZ) was unanimously elected Council chairman and Milos Vojnovic (SDSS) and Velimir Radovic (independent councillor) deputy chairmen. Vukovar's new deputy mayors are Branko Sekuljica (SDSS) and Petar Mlinaric (HDZ). #L# The city's ruling coalition comprising the HDZ and the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) fell apart several months ago, after the Democratic Centre (DC) left it. The City Council comprises ten HDZ councillors, eight SDSS representatives, three HSP members, two Social Democrats (SDP) and two independent councillors who acquired the status after abandoning the DC. The SDSS entered the city government at the request of the party's councillors bench at the City Council that Article 18 of the Constitutional Law on Human Rights and the Rights of National Minorities be respected. The Law stipulates proportional representation of national minorities in local government, in line with their share in the overall local population. Since the results of a recent census have not yet been issued, the SDSS's share in the city government was calculated according to the party's results at local elections, at which the SDSS won 32 percent of votes. (hina) lml sb