UPPER HOUSE ENDORSES MAJORITY OF AMENDMENTS TO TAXES

ZAGREB, May 23 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor's House of Counties on Tuesday endorsed the majority of government's bills of amendments to taxes and contributions, however it failed to endorse a bill on the increase of the excise tax on oil products, coffee and beer. The Upper House positively assessed the decrease of the contribution rate for pension and health insurance, and the increase of the excise tax on alcohol, cigarettes, automobiles, boats, and airplanes. The initiative for the mediation of the Constitutional Court in the dispute between the Lower and Upper Houses, was endorsed by 378 representatives so far - two representatives of the Liberal Party (LS), one of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), a part of the representatives of the Croatian Peasant's Party (HSS). A request for mediation can be submitted to the Constitutional Court by at least one fifth of the upper house deputies (14). The House Of Counties believe that the House of Representatives harshly violated the procedure of the passing of the constitutional law on minorities, to the damage of the House of Counties. Regarding a draft decision on a temporary cancellation of cooperation between Croatia and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), motioned by a group of representatives of the Croatian Party of Rights and the Croatian Democratic Union, the House decided that the head committee should request a Government report on the latest investigations of the ICTY in the Gospic region, central Croatia, after which the House should conduct a discussion. (hina) it jn