ZAGREB, March 22 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Counties on Wednesday unanimously endorsed the government's draft state budget for this year in the amount of 48.3 billion kuna (US$6 billion). Prior to the endorsement,
Upper House MPs spoke almost 170 amendments to the draft budget, of which most were given the green light. Last week, the Upper House turned down the draft budget in the first reading. The government's representative did not speak about the amendments. Deputy Finance Minister Damir Kustrak said the government had not authorised him to do so. Kustrak's explanation met with harsh criticism from Upper House MPs, who said they were shocked by the government's attitude. MPs were almost unanimous in criticising the government's refusal to take a position on the amendments. The government is showing quite openly it thinks the Upper House is not significant in the passing of the budget, and
ZAGREB, March 22 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of
Counties on Wednesday unanimously endorsed the government's draft
state budget for this year in the amount of 48.3 billion kuna (US$6
billion).
Prior to the endorsement, Upper House MPs spoke almost 170
amendments to the draft budget, of which most were given the green
light. Last week, the Upper House turned down the draft budget in
the first reading.
The government's representative did not speak about the
amendments. Deputy Finance Minister Damir Kustrak said the
government had not authorised him to do so.
Kustrak's explanation met with harsh criticism from Upper House
MPs, who said they were shocked by the government's attitude.
MPs were almost unanimous in criticising the government's refusal
to take a position on the amendments.
The government is showing quite openly it thinks the Upper House is
not significant in the passing of the budget, and by failing to take
a position on the amendments is preventing the Upper House from
exercising its constitutional function, said Miroslav Rozic of the
Croatian Party of Rights/Croatian Christian Democratic Union
bench.
Zvonimir Puljic of the Croatian Democratic Union said he was
appalled by the executive authority's behaviour, especially, he
added, by those who had been announcing the age of the parliamentary
system.
Puljic interpreted the government's "harsh gesture" as an attempt
to provoke the Upper House into using the veto, which he said would
provide an alibi for the government's difficulties in rounding off
the budget. He urged MPs not to play into the government's hands.
Ankica Mamic of the Liberal Party was also incensed and appalled by
the government's attitude towards the Upper House, saying she did
not know how the government would render accounts to the people who
elected it.
Several MPs urged the government not to act offended, while they
unanimously agreed the dignity and constitutional position of the
Upper House must be respected.
(hina) ha