CROATIAN PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES LAW ON ASSOCIATIONS

ZAGREB, Sept 26 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Wednesday ended a discussion on a bill on associations and a bill on the government's competence under which it would be able to regulate certain issues from the parliament's scope of activities. The final text of the new bill on associations, which was submitted by the government, was supported by the majority of MPs, and it was assessed to be more democratic and more liberal but with many amendments. Considering that the government must voice its opinion on 56 submitted amendments, the voting is delayed until Friday. The bill on the government's competence to regulate certain issues from the parliament's scope of activities in the next year was supported by parliamentary benches of the Croatian Peasant's Party (HSS), the Social Democratic Party (SDP)and the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS). Representatives of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) opposed the law. On behalf of the HDZ, Vladimir Seks said the law gave to much power to the government, circumventing the Constitution. Representatives of the ruling coalition supported the bill because it reduces the government's competence to pass by-laws. The law would authorise the government to regulate current economic issues only when the parliament is not in session, namely between December 15 and January 15, and July 15 and September 15, 2002. At the present the government has this right even when the parliament is in session. (hina) it sb