CRO GOVERNMENT IN FAVOUR OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

ZAGREB, March 1 (Hina) - Giving the green light to draft amendments to the Constitution, the Croatian government on Thursday suggested that the right of suffrage should be linked with the permanent place of residence rather than with the exercise of rights and obligations in Croatia as proposed in the amendments. A proposal for the procedure of changes of the Constitution was launched by 34 members of the parliament, and the basic reason is a plan to abolish the upper chamber - the House of Counties - and define the voting by the Croatian diaspora. The latter issue should be arranged by a provision that Croatian citizens of age who exercise their rights and fulfil their obligations in Croatia should be given the equal right to vote. However, the Ivica Racan Cabinet assessed that more precise definition would be that the universal adult suffrage be bestowed on those who have the permanent place of residence in Croatia, Justice Minister Stjepan Ivanisevic said. Minister Ivanisevic suggested to the initiators of constitutional changes to propose a constitutional law on the implementation of the constitution. This should help resolve some open issues which have occurred since last November's change of the Constitution. (hina) ms