ZAGREB, April 27 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Representatives after Thursday's brief debate unanimously endorsed a draft Lower House rule book in first reading. The aim of the new rule book is to improve the work of MPs
and parliamentary benches, Mato Arlovic, chairman of the Committee on the Constitution, Rule Book and Political System, said presenting the draft. Among the rule book's new aspects, Arlovic singled out the possibility of parliamentary debate on the President of the Republic's report on the state of the nation. Based on that debate, parliament could give the President recommendations which he could find of use, Arlovic said. The new rule book would introduce the institute of interpellation in parliament's relationship with the government, namely the possibility of putting questions to the government in connection with particular issues. In the future, bills motioned by the gov
ZAGREB, April 27 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of
Representatives after Thursday's brief debate unanimously
endorsed a draft Lower House rule book in first reading.
The aim of the new rule book is to improve the work of MPs and
parliamentary benches, Mato Arlovic, chairman of the Committee on
the Constitution, Rule Book and Political System, said presenting
the draft.
Among the rule book's new aspects, Arlovic singled out the
possibility of parliamentary debate on the President of the
Republic's report on the state of the nation. Based on that debate,
parliament could give the President recommendations which he could
find of use, Arlovic said.
The new rule book would introduce the institute of interpellation
in parliament's relationship with the government, namely the
possibility of putting questions to the government in connection
with particular issues.
In the future, bills motioned by the government may be defended only
by members of the government and ministers, and deputy ministers in
particular events. This, according to Arlovic, would give the Lower
House back its reputation.
The new rule book also envisages replacing the current Question
Hour with a four-hour Question Morning at the beginning of every or
every other session.
Arlovic said Question Hour could retain its present form, but added
questions should be clear and concise, free of superfluous
explanations. It would also be possible to put questions in
writing, with answers submitted to every MP.
The new rule book would also explain the relationship between the
House of Counties and the House of Representatives, while
preserving their independence in line with the Constitution and
rule books of both houses.
It has also been suggested to reintroduce the institute of
rebuttal, and clarify the institutes of correction of incorrect
statement and infringement of rule book.
In today's brief debate, the Lower House MPs endorsed most of the
motioned changes to the rule book and suggested several new ones.
Milanka Opacic of the Social Democratic Party suggested the
establishment of a committee on the equality of the sexes.
(hina) ha jn