ZAGREB, July 12 (Hina) - The extraordinary session of the Croatian parliament, at which the new government of premier designate Ivica Racan should be confirmed, may be held between 22 and 27 July at the earliest, parliament
vice-president Mato Arlovic told reporters on Friday.
ZAGREB, July 12 (Hina) - The extraordinary session of the Croatian
parliament, at which the new government of premier designate Ivica
Racan should be confirmed, may be held between 22 and 27 July at the
earliest, parliament vice-president Mato Arlovic told reporters on
Friday. #L#
This would be "an ideal date", he said.
It has also been claimed that an "optimal date" for the session
would be the period between 29 and 31 July.
The final deadline for calling the extraordinary parliamentary
session is the day after Victory Day (August 5), that is, August 9,
when the constitutional deadline of 30 days for the composition of
the new government expires.
According to sources from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), talks
with coalition partners regarding the composition of the new
government are proceeding better than expected, and the session is
likely to take place between 22 and 27 July.
According to unofficial sources, the agenda of the session could
also include a constitutional bill on minorities, and a new bill on
the government, which would have to be adopted if the number of
ministries is to be reduced.
The SDP sources say that coalition partners have decided on the
reduction of the government, which creates the possibility of
reducing the entire state administration.
The joining of some ministries will depend on agreement among
coalition partners. The number of ministries could not be reduced
earlier because attempts to tackle some problems would be usually
interpreted in the coalition as "an attack on a party", the SDP
sources say.
The SDP considers the Social Liberal (HSLS) ministers who parted
ways with HSLS president Drazen Budisa and supported the government
as coalition partners.
The SDP will on Sunday hold a session of the party presidency and
central committee, at which party leader and premier designate
Ivica Racan should inform party members of the composition of the
government.
The party presidency had supported the proposal on the reduction of
the government and the number of ministries at a previous session.
It is claimed in parliamentary corridors that many in the SDP are
dissatisfied with the fact that the SDP ministers and deputy prime
ministers will be affected the most by the government reshuffle.
Names mentioned in this context include Deputy Prime Minister
Zeljka Antunovic, War Veterans Minister Ivica Pancic, Finance
Minister Mato Crkvenac, and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula.
(hina) rml