ZAGREB, Apr 15 (Hina) - Representatives of Croatia's parliamentary parties on Thursday met in Zagreb and presented their basic starting points with regard to a future electoral model. They agreed to resume talks later in the month to
attempt to reach a consensus on electoral legislation. The ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) endorsed an independent expert group's motion for a proportionate electoral model with ten electoral units and the introduction of a special electoral unit for Croatian citizens residing abroad. The alliance of six opposition parties demanded that their motion for a combined electoral model be given the same treatment during talks. The Opposition Six is contrary to a special electoral unit for the diaspora, and has suggested a referendum in case no agreement is reached on the issue. Besides the current electoral law, there are three other motions for Croatia's electoral
ZAGREB, Apr 15 (Hina) - Representatives of Croatia's parliamentary
parties on Thursday met in Zagreb and presented their basic
starting points with regard to a future electoral model. They
agreed to resume talks later in the month to attempt to reach a
consensus on electoral legislation.
The ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) endorsed an independent
expert group's motion for a proportionate electoral model with ten
electoral units and the introduction of a special electoral unit
for Croatian citizens residing abroad.
The alliance of six opposition parties demanded that their motion
for a combined electoral model be given the same treatment during
talks. The Opposition Six is contrary to a special electoral unit
for the diaspora, and has suggested a referendum in case no
agreement is reached on the issue.
Besides the current electoral law, there are three other motions
for Croatia's electoral model: a proportionate system with ten
electoral units, motioned by an expert group, a combination of the
proportionate and majority systems with 40 electoral units,
motioned by the Opposition Six, and a proportionate system model
with one electoral unit, motioned by the Croatian Party of Rights
(HSP) and the Croatian Pure Party of Rights.
According to Vladimir Seks of the HDZ, the proportionate electoral
system "ensures the realisation of long-term political
stabilisation" and the "avoidance of under-representation, as well
as of over-representation."
The HDZ advocates the establishment of an 11th electoral unit as a
separate electoral body which would include Croatian citizens
residing abroad, Seks said.
Luka Trconic of the Croatian Peasants' Party said the Opposition
Six was not willing to take part in a debate in which dictate was
imposed.
The six also demand the passing of a law on electoral units and the
compiling of voters' lists in order to prevent electoral
engineering, Trconic said. He also suggested a consensus to agree
on the date of the elections.
Mato Arlovic of the Social Democratic Party said voters living
abroad could not have greater rights than those residing in
Croatia. He advocated equal active and passive voting rights,
adding Croatian citizens living abroad have the right to vote and be
elected on party or independent lists.
HSP's Anto Djapic defended his party motion for a proportionate
system with one electoral unit, advocating a uniform electoral
threshold of five percent for both single parties and party
coalitions.
Minority representative Njegovan Starek advocated a higher number
of national minority representatives.
The parties' representatives will meet again on April 26.
(hina) ha jn