ZAGREB, July 11 (Hina) - All representatives in the Croatian parliament's House of Counties on Tuesday endorsed the intention for the national parliament to retain two houses, namely to keep the Upper House following amendments to the
constitution. Most Upper House MPs believe an envisioned redefinition of the house's position will continue to diminish its role. After an extensive debate, the Upper House by a majority of vote assessed that in principle, it was justified to amend the constitution in view of replacing the semi-presidential with a parliamentary system in which the government would answer only to parliament. Despite objections from representatives of the ruling six-party coalition, the Upper House adopted a conclusion according to which the government motion of amendments to the constitution was full of vague wording and incorrect political claims and that this, together wit
ZAGREB, July 11 (Hina) - All representatives in the Croatian
parliament's House of Counties on Tuesday endorsed the intention
for the national parliament to retain two houses, namely to keep the
Upper House following amendments to the constitution.
Most Upper House MPs believe an envisioned redefinition of the
house's position will continue to diminish its role.
After an extensive debate, the Upper House by a majority of vote
assessed that in principle, it was justified to amend the
constitution in view of replacing the semi-presidential with a
parliamentary system in which the government would answer only to
parliament.
Despite objections from representatives of the ruling six-party
coalition, the Upper House adopted a conclusion according to which
the government motion of amendments to the constitution was full of
vague wording and incorrect political claims and that this,
together with the closed way in which the motion was made, prevented
the Upper House from taking a position.
Discussing the future role of the Upper House, most MPs disagreed
with the solution according to which the house would be only the
expression of regional interests, participate in the passing of
regional laws, and use veto to protect only regional and not general
interests. MPs said the Upper House's position must be better than
in the past and that it must be a corrective to the government.
The general direction of amendments to the constitution, which was
drafted by the government and signed by the president of the
republic and the prime minister, was given a positive assessment by
representatives of the ruling coalition, but not the Croatian Party
of Rights (HSP).
The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), which has the majority in the
Upper House, and HSP pointed to a regulation according to which the
president of the republic could dissolve parliament at the
government's suggestion. This would discipline ruling coalition
MPs in criticising the government, they said.
HDZ's MPs said it was discernible from the amendments that the aim
was to create a strong government and a prime minister with
chancellor's powers.
(hina) ha