ZAGREB, Oct 6 (Hina) - Deputies at the House of Representatives, who on Friday discussed draft constitutional changes, engaged in a heated debate about the regulation saying the government can suggest to the president of the state to
dissolve the parliament. This, said Vladimir Seks of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), would mean the introduction of "a semi-governmental chancellor" system where the government would have a more important role than the parliament. That is not correct, said Mato Arlovic of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), explaining that the government can only suggest to the president of the state that he dissolve the parliament, and the president may, but is not obliged to do it. Arlovic said that before making a decision on this matter the president first had to consult with parliamentary benches. If the president decides that there is no need to dissolve the parliament, the new governm
MPS DISAGREE OVER POSSIBILITIES OF DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT
ZAGREB, Oct 6 (Hina) - Deputies at the House of Representatives, who
on Friday discussed draft constitutional changes, engaged in a
heated debate about the regulation saying the government can
suggest to the president of the state to dissolve the parliament.
This, said Vladimir Seks of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ),
would mean the introduction of "a semi-governmental chancellor"
system where the government would have a more important role than
the parliament.
That is not correct, said Mato Arlovic of the Social Democratic
Party (SDP), explaining that the government can only suggest to the
president of the state that he dissolve the parliament, and the
president may, but is not obliged to do it.
Arlovic said that before making a decision on this matter the
president first had to consult with parliamentary benches. If the
president decides that there is no need to dissolve the parliament,
the new government mandatary is appointed within 30 days, and only
if he is not approved by the parliament can the president dissolve
the parliament and call early elections, Arlovic explained.
Seks believes this regulation should be defined more precisely as
it was not clear who and under which circumstances could propose the
new government mandatary. He advocated the idea that the mandatary
be appointed by the House of Representatives in case of a government
crisis.
Drazen Budisa of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) believes
that the government should have the right to suggest to the
president of the state to dissolve the parliament but that
conditions in which this can be done should be defined more
precisely.
SDP's Arlovic also warned about the possibility for the parliament
to dissolve itself, adding this possibility was defined in detail.
Several deputies, including Drago Krpina of the HDZ, believe that
some regulations extend the powers of the president of the state,
which, they said, leads to the introduction of the presidential and
not the transformation of the semi-presidential into a
parliamentary system, which is what the changes are aimed at.
Damir Kajin of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) did not agree
with this assessment saying the allocation of powers is well-
balanced - the Sabor is not marginalised, the government is not
transformed into a 'despot', and the president of the state will not
only be a 'token president'.
The debate on draft constitutional changes could last until late in
the night since some 30 deputies have expressed interest in
discussing the issue.
(hina) rml