COMMITTEE FOR CONSTITUTION DISCUSSES CHANGES TO PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITIES

ZAGREB, Sept 21 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliament's House of Representative's Committee for the Constitution, Rule Book and Political System, on Thursday ended a discussion on constitutional changes pertaining to the authorities of the President of the Republic. Special attention was paid to the circumstances under which the President can dismiss the Parliament. The President of the Republic, as currently stipulated by the Constitution, can dissolve the Parliament at the suggestion of the Prime Minister, but prior to consultations with presidents of party benches, not with the Parliament speaker as has been stipulated in the draft constitutional changes. An alternative was offered whereupon the President could dissolve the House of Representatives if a government or parliamentary crisis in line with the Constitution cannot be solved differently. Other provisions of the draft amendments to the Constitution do not contain major changes to the existing one, Committee chairman Mato Arlovic said after the meeting. The Committee will continue its session on Friday to discuss provisions in the draft pertaining to the Government, administration, judicial authorities and local self-government. (hina) lml