CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS GIVEN A 'NO' ONLY BY HDZ, HSP, HKDU

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS GIVEN A 'NO' ONLY BY HDZ, HSP, HKDU ZAGREB, Oct 6 (Hina) - The draft constitutional amendments changing Croatia's semi-presidential into a parliamentary system were endorsed by all parliamentary benches of the ruling six-party coalition, regional parties, and minorities' representatives, but were turned down by the HDZ and the HSP/HKDU benches. Croatia's parliament today opened a debate on the draft which needs a majority vote to be adopted, while final changes need the two- third majority, or 101 votes. The government motion that parliament be returned the traditional name Hrvatski sabor was endorsed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) bench, which said the draft amendments were good. The Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) bench also applauded changing parliament's name, saying it implied that it was a state institution. The HSLS, however, objects to the inclusion into the Constitution of the term 'regional self-government', saying non-inclusion will eliminate the possibility that paramilitary institutions refer to the term 'regional' in explaining their existence. The HSLS agrees the government may move the dissolution of parliament, but believes it is necessary to define the circumstances under which the prime minister should suggest this to the president of the republic. The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the strongest opposition party, completely objects to that provision, saying this authority is given to the head of state, with PM's co-signature and consultations with parliamentary benches, without restrictions as to which situations it may refer to. The HDZ also objects to regional self-government and the limited powers of parliament's House of Counties. It will not vote for the constitutional amendments unless its suggestions are accepted. The Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) bench supports the amendments, especially the provisions on regional self- government, but is against the introduction of a parliament commissioner for defence and national security. The bench believes that in its stead, parliament should strengthen its committee for internal affairs and national security. The Croatian People's Party/Liberal Party (HNS/LS) bench says the amendments strengthen parliament's role, and endorses provisions on the possibility of dissolving the lower house in possible parliamentary crises. The Croatian Party of Rights/Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HSP/HKDU) bench was against the amendments, saying they had been drafted according to the demands of daily politics. The Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) is for introducing the function of first deputy parliamentary speaker who would stand in for the heads of state or parliament when they are prevented from performing their duties. According to the draft constitutional amendments, in those cases the prime minister would stand in for the heads of state and parliament. The HSS believes parliament should be called Hrvatski narodni sabor (Croatian people's parliament) and MPs people's representatives. The Democratic Centre (DC) bench supports the amendments in principle, but thinks parliament should retain the present name - Hrvatski drzavni sabor. The ruling six-party coalition (SDP/HSLS/HNS/LS/IDS/HSS) has 95 representatives in parliament. With votes from minorities' representatives, the DC, and Zlatko Canjuga, formerly with the HDZ but now independent, it could ensure the necessary two-third majority in November, when the changing of the constitution should be completed. HDZ president Ivo Sanader recently said it was possible that part of HDZ's MPs vote in favour of the amendments. (hina) ha jn