ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - The redistribution, not rescinding presidential authorities, and the simultaneous strengthening of the position of the parliament and government are the main characteristics of draft constitutional amendments
drawn up by a working group appointed by President Stipe Mesic. Mesic handed the draft amendments to parliament president Zlatko Tomcic and Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Monday. The document has been placed on the Internet at www.predsjednik.hr.
ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - The redistribution, not rescinding
presidential authorities, and the simultaneous strengthening of
the position of the parliament and government are the main
characteristics of draft constitutional amendments drawn up by a
working group appointed by President Stipe Mesic.
Mesic handed the draft amendments to parliament president Zlatko
Tomcic and Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Monday.
The document has been placed on the Internet at www.predsjednik.hr.
#L#
According to the working group, the preamble of the Constitution,
that is, its source basics, do not have to be amended as they have a
normative significance.
Criticism regarding the naming of indigenous national minorities
and the term of the Republic of Croatia being a "national state of
the Croatian people" are not founded because the Constitution
stipulates Croatia had been regulated as a civil state, the experts
asserted.
One of the most important amendments to the Constitution pertains
to the annulment of the parliament's House of Counties.
According to the motioners, during the House's work of seven years,
fears have been confirmed that it cannot fulfil expectations
regarding the control and improvement of the quality of the Lower
House work.
"In a time when countries with the longest tradition of a two-house
parliamentary system, such as Great Britain, are seriously
considering annulling the second house, it would be the best
solution for Croatia to return to its tradition of a one-house
parliament," the working group said.
The group assessed the essential request of voters at the past
parliamentary and presidential elections was the "elaboration of a
highly personalised system of political decision-making".
In order to achieve this, a reallocation, not rescinding, of
presidential authorities is necessary, at the same time
consolidating the positions of the parliament and government, they
stressed.
The President of the Republic thus remains commander-in-chief of
the armed forces, supervises the work of security services, and
represents Croatia in the country and abroad, cooperating with the
parliament and government.
The President will keep his authority of calling parliamentary
elections and the appointment of government personnel, but loses
the authority of dismissing the prime minister.
The appointment of ambassadors would be performed by the President
at the suggestion of the government and the opinion given by a
relevant parliamentary committee.
The working group's draft does not envisage the existence of the
Council for Defence and National Security (VONS) and the
Presidential Council.
The President also loses the authority to call government sessions,
but may motion them.
He will also be able, according to the draft, to dissolve the
parliament, with the consentual signature of the prime minister,
pursuant to consultations with the parliament president.
Taking into consideration recent experience when the late
president Franjo Tudjman had, due to illness, been prevented in
performing his duties, the working group elaborated on such and
possible similar situations in more detail.
Among other things, the group envisaged the institute of a short-
term and long-term president's inability to perform his duties.
The government would in the future be accountable exclusively to
the parliament.
The group asserted that the introduction of the parliamentary
system was impossible without the right on dissolving the
parliament.
In case the parliament gives a vote of no confidence to the
government, the prime minister may resign or suggest to the
President to dissolve the parliament.
Strengthening the role of the parliament, particularly in the
control of executive authority, is possible through interpellation
on the work of the government or any of its members.
Pursuant to a discussion on interpellation MPs would be able to
request a vote on confidence to the government.
The working group suggested that the parliament also make decisions
on plans pertaining to the development of the defence system and the
purchase of expensive arms systems.
Suggested was also civil control of the armed forces and security
services.
Unlike the Constitution hitherto, the draft amendments envisage
the possibility of engaging the armed forces outside of Croatia's
borders.
Significant changes are foreseen in the composition and work of the
State Judicial Council. The SJC would no longer appoint state
attorneys, and instead of the current 15, it would have nine
members, three judges, three attorneys and three university
professors.
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