PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER TALKS ABOUT WEDNESDAY'S SESSION

ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - The government must have the authority to regulate by decree certain issues from parliament's domain, parliamentary speaker Zlatko Tomcic said on Tuesday, announcing he would vote against legislation depriving the government of that power. Talking about the topics of parliament' 17th session, beginning tomorrow, Tomcic said he was deeply convinced the government must have those authorities as the governments in all democracies do. Among the topics is a government-moved bill putting out of force legislation giving the government authority to regulate by decree certain issues from parliament's domain. Parliament adopted said legislation a fortnight ago. In their comments, MPs reproached the government for wanting to be above parliament and taking over some of its powers. The government dismissed the remarks and decided to request parliament to withdraw the contested law. Tomcic said the upcoming parliamentary session's agenda has 46 items, with even more expected, including a draft state budget revision. MPs will debate a long-due defence bill, and changes to parliament's Rule Book that should expedite session work. Tomcic said it was uncertain the agenda would include a border deal with Slovenia, the subject of great disagreement, within the ruling coalition as well. (hina) ha sb