LOWER HOUSE DEBATES CHANGES TO STATE JUDICIAL COUNCIL LAW

ZAGREB, May 7 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Representatives on Friday continued its session by discussing the motioned changes to the Law on the State Judicial Council, which is in third reading. The government adopted the majority of the remarks of the parliament's working bodies, Deputy Justice Minister Snjezana Bagic told the Lower House. Among these, the government adopted the remarks referring to how candidates should run for the offices of the president of the Supreme Court and the state attorney. According to the second reading, the candidates for the two offices were to be suggested by the President of the Republic, but it was pointed out during a subsequent debate that this would extend the President's powers according to the Constitution. The government has now suggested that the candidates for the two offices be put forward by the House of Counties. In keeping with parliament working bodies' remarks, also changed was a provision regarding top officials in the judiciary which would be sworn in before the President of the Republic. This circle has now been narrowed to only the two top-most officials, i.e. the president of the Supreme Court and the state attorney. (hina) ha jn