ZAGREB, Oct 25 (Hina) - I am optimistic and I believe that the adoption of amendments to the Constitution will be easier than some sceptics have announced, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said at the Croatian National Parliament
Wednesday. Some suggestions made by President Stipe Mesic have been accepted, and some refused, but it is not up to me to comment on the decisions of the Parliament's Committee for the Constitution, Rule Book and Political System, Racan said in reply to reporters' questions. Asked about a possible postponement of the adoption of constitutional amendments, Racan said he held that if the parliament held there was no need for prolonging the adoption, a good and all-round acceptable motion of constitutional amendments can be reached without postponement. He added he personally felt some President's suggestions were acceptable, some were not, even from the point of view of the Presid
ZAGREB, Oct 25 (Hina) - I am optimistic and I believe that the
adoption of amendments to the Constitution will be easier than some
sceptics have announced, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said
at the Croatian National Parliament Wednesday.
Some suggestions made by President Stipe Mesic have been accepted,
and some refused, but it is not up to me to comment on the decisions
of the Parliament's Committee for the Constitution, Rule Book and
Political System, Racan said in reply to reporters' questions.
Asked about a possible postponement of the adoption of
constitutional amendments, Racan said he held that if the
parliament held there was no need for prolonging the adoption, a
good and all-round acceptable motion of constitutional amendments
can be reached without postponement.
He added he personally felt some President's suggestions were
acceptable, some were not, even from the point of view of the
President's working group as it was correcting some suggestions.
Racan said he believed the Parliament would have sufficient wisdom
and responsibility to come out with the best motion.
"I am optimistic and I believe that the adoption of amendments to
the Constitution will be easier than some sceptics have announced,"
he asserted.
There is no conflict between President Mesic and me, which some
media are trying to picture with rigour, Racan said.
The issue here is to fulfil our promise and the will of the people --
to secure parliamentary democracy in the country, and not the
authority of one person.
He added that the prime minister was not in the position of a
president, and there is no competition. The President, in line with
the Constitution and the law, makes decisions independently, and
the prime minister can sign something only if there is a decision
made by the government. The prime minister and the government is
controlled by the parliament, which cannot be the case with the
president, and this difference, Racan stressed, is not small and
insignificant. Thus, attempts for a personal conflict to be
instigated for some reason were not unfounded, he asserted.
Asked whether he would discuss constitutional amendments with
President Mesic, Racan said he was always ready for talks, but
amendments to the Constitution were not an issue of an agreement
between the President and government.
The President has given his suggestions, and the government will
voice its opinion on the draft constitutional changes on Thursday,
Racan said.
Both the President and the government are in the same position in
relation to the Parliament, which is the pivot.
Both the government and the President give their opinions and that
is all. The remaining is an issue of speculation and attempts of
making headlines, he asserted.
"Let us finish this job, as has been planned, so we do not have to
unnecessarily postpone dealing with important issues in this
country connected with life issues of citizens," Racan concluded.
(hina) lml