ZAGREB, Oct 3 (Hina) - Croatia's Premier Ivica Racan on Tuesday told reporters that the Government would not insist on a change in the Constitution under which in some situations the Government would be able to propose to the
President of the Republic to dissolve the national parliament. "Considering some unfounded accusations, the Government will not ask for any special role for itself during this debate on constitutional changes, particularly... on the possible dissolution of the Sabor when a crisis breaks out," the Premier added. Racan admitted that accusations against such a solution did not come only from the opposition but also from some individuals in the ruling coalition. The Premier reiterated the Government would not insist on such a solution (that the Government can move the dissolution of the Sabor), although some parliamentary democracies have such an institute. "Owing to te
ZAGREB, Oct 3 (Hina) - Croatia's Premier Ivica Racan on Tuesday told
reporters that the Government would not insist on a change in the
Constitution under which in some situations the Government would be
able to propose to the President of the Republic to dissolve the
national parliament.
"Considering some unfounded accusations, the Government will not
ask for any special role for itself during this debate on
constitutional changes, particularly... on the possible
dissolution of the Sabor when a crisis breaks out," the Premier
added.
Racan admitted that accusations against such a solution did not
come only from the opposition but also from some individuals in the
ruling coalition.
The Premier reiterated the Government would not insist on such a
solution (that the Government can move the dissolution of the
Sabor), although some parliamentary democracies have such an
institute.
"Owing to tectonic disturbances and a lack of knowledge of
parliamentary democracy, the Government will not insist on that
rule. But I shall insist on it once I am no longer Prime Minister,"
Racan added.
He told reporters he believed that the stand of the ruling six-party
coalition on amendments to the Constitution would completely be
defined after this evening's joint meeting of all parliamentary
benches of those parties (SDP, HSLS, HSS, HNS, LS and IDS).
He expressed confidence that a degree of harmonisation of their
views was very high, answering reporters' question whether the
coalition would muster the sufficient number of votes in favour of
the constitutional changes.
The Sabor's House of Representatives is to start a discussion on
this matter on Friday and the entire process should be completed in
November.
The strongest opposition party in the parliament - the Croatian
Defence Union (HDZ) - has announced it will not support changes but
its President, Ivo Sanader, forecast that some HDZ deputies might
vote differently from their party's suggestion.
It is necessary to have a two-third majority of all MPs in the Sabor
for the adoption of the Constitution's amendments.
(hina) ms