ZAGREB, July 15 (Hina) - Croatian national parliament's House of Representatives adopted a decision on initiating Constitutional changes, on Saturday at the end of its sixth, extraordinary session.
ZAGREB, July 15 (Hina) - Croatian national parliament's House of
Representatives adopted a decision on initiating Constitutional
changes, on Saturday at the end of its sixth, extraordinary
session.#L#
The decision was endorsed by a majority vote, and this was the first
step on the path towards the changes of the Constitution,
promulgated in December 1990. A discussion on and elaboration of
amendments should ensue in autumn and the last stage will be their
adoption.
The lower house's Constitution, Book of Rules and political system
committee was given the task to define the amendments.
Only deputies of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the
Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) abstained from voting.
We back the idea about transforming the presidential system into a
parliamentary one. Owing to defects of the proposal and the fact
that the opposition did not take part in its preparation, we,
however, shall abstain from voting, said Vladimir Seks on the
behalf of the bench of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the
strongest opposition party at the House of Representatives.
Seks surmised that the changes were not directed to the
introduction of the parliamentary system and believed that a kind
of chancellorship could be imposed actually. He insisted that it
was necessary to precisely define cases when the Government could
ask the President of the Republic to dissolve the Sabor's House of
Representatives and call early elections.
In addition, the proposed changes rendered the House of Counties
dispensable, and these were reasons for the HDZ to abstain from
voting, Seks said.
HSP members also expressed fear that the Government would gain
predominance over the parliament.
All other deputies supported the changes the aim of which is to
strengthen the rule of law, promote the role of local and regional
self-government and make it impossible for any state body to
concentrate power.
Expounding the proposal for the change of the Constitution before
the House of Representatives, Justice Minister Stjepan Ivanisevic
said the Constitution, promulgated in 1990, had shown weak spots
such as making it possible for the President of the Republic to
concentrate power in his hands.
Hence, a parliamentary system has been suggested to replace the
current semi-presidential system. In the future, the head of state
will also be elected at presidential elections, and such system is
functioning in most countries in transition, the Justice Minister
added.
The President of the Republic would retain authorities he/she has
as the supreme commander of the country's armed forces. The
President would also have some authorities over security services
and would be asked to help settle crises in the relationship between
the national parliament (Sabor) and the Government.
The President's significant authorities would be limited
concerning important decisions when he/she should have the co-
signature of Prime Minister on a relevant document and hold
consultations with Sabor Speaker, Ivanisevic said.
The Government would exclusively be responsible before the Sabor,
whereas its duties, tasks and responsibility would be broadened and
more clearly defined. The Government would assume responsibility
for interior and foreign policies, public services and the economic
progress. On the other hand, the parliamentary control over the
Government would increase as well, the Minister added while
explaining the proposed changes.
In certain cases the Government could ask the President of the
Republic to dissolve the parliament and call early elections.
The constitutional changes should strengthen the function of the
national parliament in the sectors of defence and security
services.
According to the draft amendments, the Sabor remains a bicameral
assembly, but the role of the House of Counties would be redefined
so that the upper house represents particular regional interests.
Ivanisevic hoped the changes would lead to the balance in the
relationship between the executive, legislative and judicial
authorities.
In addition, changes should be introduced at local and regional
self-government with the aim of de-centralising the country.
Corrections are envisaged in the judiciary as well. The State
Judicial Council (DSV) should be regulated in a better manner. As
the Constitutional Court is overloaded with many pending cases it
is necessary to regulate more precisely cases when a constitutional
appeal can be lodged with this Court.
More attention should be paid to the skilfulness and
professionalism of civil servants, the Justice Minister stressed.
Addressing the Sabor, Ivanisevic explained that a procedure for the
Constitutional changes had three stages. The first is this
initiative for amendments, and it would be followed by a discussion
and elaboration of changes and finally the amendments should be
passed.
(hina) ms