ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - Representatives of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party and the parliamentary Opposition failed to harmonise their views on a future election law at talks held in Zagreb on Monday. Today's
three-hour, second meeting between the Opposition and the HDZ focused on an election model, representation of Croatian citizens who do not reside in Croatia (Diaspora) and the minority representation at the Croatian National Sabor. It was agreed that the talks should continue on May 3. By that date, all parties should present their clear views on the above-mentioned issues, as well as on other issues, such as the financing of the election campaign, the composition of election committees and commissions etc. The crucial issue at today's talks was special voters' lists with 357,678 Croatian citizens who live outside of Croatia and elect representatives to the Croatian Nat
ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - Representatives of the ruling Croatian
Democratic Union (HDZ) party and the parliamentary Opposition
failed to harmonise their views on a future election law at talks
held in Zagreb on Monday.
Today's three-hour, second meeting between the Opposition and the
HDZ focused on an election model, representation of Croatian
citizens who do not reside in Croatia (Diaspora) and the minority
representation at the Croatian National Sabor.
It was agreed that the talks should continue on May 3. By that date,
all parties should present their clear views on the above-mentioned
issues, as well as on other issues, such as the financing of the
election campaign, the composition of election committees and
commissions etc.
The crucial issue at today's talks was special voters' lists with
357,678 Croatian citizens who live outside of Croatia and elect
representatives to the Croatian National Sabor. All parties were
unanimous that the Croatian Diaspora has the right to vote and be
elected, but their views on how that right should be exercised
differed.
The HDZ is ready for a compromise only as regards the number of
Diaspora representatives, said Vladimir Seks. However, before this
is determined, one should accept a proposal in principle by a
working group, according to which the Diaspora electorate would
elect their representatives in a special election unit.
The HDZ believes that it would also be possible to discuss the
number of nine election units electing 12 representatives each, and
is also ready to accept a single election threshold of five per
cent.
The "Opposition Six" oppose the special list and the special
election unit for the Diaspora, because they believe that they
would not be in line with the Constitution.
Coordinator for the "Opposition Six", Luka Trconic (Croatian
Peasants' Party, HSS) said that, should the Opposition Six and HDZ
manage to harmonise their views as regards the special Diaspora
list, the Opposition Six would not insist on a mixed election system
but be willing to accept proportional representation.
Explaining the Opposition's stand that there is no need for a
special election list for the Diaspora, Mato Arlovic (Social
Democratic Party, SDP) said all Croatian citizens must have the
same rights and Diaspora candidates have to be included into some of
the party lists or the lists of independent representatives.
The Opposition MPs also reiterated their proposal on calling a
referendum on the special Diaspora list, which was rejected by
HDZ's Seks.
As regards the election and representation of national minorities,
MP Njegovan Starek said the number of minority representatives
should be increased from five to eight.
Talks on the new election legislation will continue in early May.
If the two sides fail to reach an agreement, one should suggest to
the Government to draw up its own bill and that an agreement be
reached in parliament, Trconic said.
(hina) jn rml