ZAGREB, Nov 9 (Hina) - Some of the 71 amendments proposed to a constitutional amendments motion were elaborated during late Thursday afternoon's party and inter-party consultations in parliament and a Committee on the Constitution
session. The Committee among else turned down an amendment by the Istrian Democratic Assembly, one of the ruling coalition's six parties, and two regional parties, PGS and SBHS, which proposed reinstating Bosniaks, Slovenes, and the Romany in the Constitution as national minorities. Also turned down was an amendment by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the strongest opposition party, proposing erasing the term 'regional self-government', and another by which HDZ urged retaining the name Hrvatski drzavni sabor (Croatian National Parliament). The Committee on the Constitution adopted the minorities' request to be given the possibility of dual voting at elections, for a st
ZAGREB, Nov 9 (Hina) - Some of the 71 amendments proposed to a
constitutional amendments motion were elaborated during late
Thursday afternoon's party and inter-party consultations in
parliament and a Committee on the Constitution session.
The Committee among else turned down an amendment by the Istrian
Democratic Assembly, one of the ruling coalition's six parties, and
two regional parties, PGS and SBHS, which proposed reinstating
Bosniaks, Slovenes, and the Romany in the Constitution as national
minorities.
Also turned down was an amendment by the Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ), the strongest opposition party, proposing erasing the term
'regional self-government', and another by which HDZ urged
retaining the name Hrvatski drzavni sabor (Croatian National
Parliament).
The Committee on the Constitution adopted the minorities' request
to be given the possibility of dual voting at elections, for a state
and a minority list, provided the 'positive discrimination' issue
be regulated by a separate law.
Bench presidents at today's meeting rejected an amendment to
incorporate in the text of the amended Constitution a provision on a
binding mandate for deputies.
The rejection of said amendment mostly benefits parties which
became parliamentary ones after deputies from one (HDZ) joined the
ranks of others (DC, HND).
According to unofficial reports, this returns the votes of DC
(Democratic Centre) and HSP (Croatian Party of Rights), necessary
for passing the constitutional amendments. These are votes the
ruling coalition counted on but which were lost due to disagreement
over the binding mandate amendment.
Unofficial sources also say the green light given the 'positive
discrimination' amendment gave back the mover of the
constitutional changes five votes of minorities' deputies.
According to the latest unofficial reports, the number of deputies
to vote in favour of the amendments motion will exceed the required
two-third majority, i.e. 101 votes.
Although it has not been confirmed officially, some deputies of
HDZ, which is against the motion, might vote in favour.
MPs began voting on the amendments to the motion at 8 p.m.
(hina) ha jn