GOVERNMENT DISSOLVES ZAGREB CITY ASSEMBLY

ZAGREB, Mar 10 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Friday adopted a decision on dissolving the Zagreb City Assembly on the basis of written resignations by 26 (of 50) councillors, and appointed Josip Kregar, a professor at Zagreb's Law School, its commissioner for the City of Zagreb. Kregar will stand in for the City Assembly and leadership, whereas Mayor Marina Matulovic-Dropulic and her deputies will continue to perform their duties in state administration, Justice Minister Stjepan Ivanisevic told reporters after today's government session, which was held behind closed doors. Twenty-six councillors submitted their resignations, including 24 from opposition parties and two from the Assembly's majority led by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). One copy each of the collective resignation was handed to the Justice Ministry and the City Assembly. After the expiry of 15 days, during which the government decision can be contested, the Government has 60 days to call and implement an early local election in Zagreb, Ivanisevic reminded. The Zagreb City Assembly crisis started in 1995 with the failure of the late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman to confirm mayors proposed by the then Opposition. The crisis ended in 1997, when the HDZ won the necessary majority of 26 councillors after two opposition councillors joined HDZ's ranks. (hina) mm rml