SABOR PASSES LAW ON LOCAL ELECTIONS

ZAGREB, April 6 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Friday adopted by a majority vote a law on the election of members to units of local and regional self-government. Under the new act, the coming local elections, set up for May, will be conducted in accordance wuth proportional representation, while in the past the electoral system was mixed. Seventy nine (79) representatives of the Sabor voted for the act, 23 members from the opposition were against, while two MPs abstained from the vote. Under the new law, a list of candidates who run for the election has to gather at least five percent of the vote so that candidates from that list could participate in the set-up of new local authorities. Candidates must have a permanent place of residence in the unit of local or regional self-government where they stand for the election. The new law advises political parties to take care about sex equality in the compilation of their lists. The Sabor on Friday relieved Petar Sale of the duty of State Attorney. It appointed the chairwoman and members of the national high education council. Thus MPs wrapped up their very long 11th session, that took five weeks during which over 80 draft acts were considered. (hina) sb ms