CRO OPPOSITION DOES NOT SUPPORT AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON DSV

ZAGREB, May 6 (Hina) - The majority of representatives of the Croatian Opposition at the Croatian National Sabor House of Representatives on Friday assessed a Government's motion on amendments to the Law on the State Judicial Council (DSV) as unacceptable despite some improvements. Most remarks referred to provisions regarding candidates for the offices of the Supreme Court President and the State Attorney, and a provision on their taking oaths before the Croatian President. The new Government's motion, according to which the candidates for the offices of the Supreme Court President and the State Attorney would be proposed by the House of Counties, exceeds constitutional provisions, like the previous one, according to which the candidates would be proposed by the Croatian President, the Opposition said. The Opposition stressed that the Constitution clearly defines the jurisdiction of the Upper House and of the President of the Republic. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) believes the motion to have the candidates suggested by the Upper House would make legislative power significantly interfere with judicial authority. The possibility should be considered to have the Supreme Court President proposed by the Supreme Court General Assembly or similar bodies, the SDP said. Also criticised was the motion to have the President of the Supreme Court - the highest ranking court in the country - swear in before the President of the Republic, who is the head of the executive power. If the President of the Republic cannot propose candidates for the office of Supreme Court President, the latter cannot be sworn in before the former, the Croatian Pure Party of Rights (HCSP) said. Also criticised was a provision stipulating that the president or a member of the DSV may be relieved from duty before the end of the mandate "due to unjustified failure to perform or improper performance of duties." The Croatian Peasants' Party said this was unclear and imprecise phrasing which could be very much abused. Representatives also criticised DSV's work to date as voluntary, adding that the DSV had even ignored decisions of the Constitutional Court. (hina) it jn/ha