SEKS FORWARDS DRAFT CONSTITUTIONAL BILL TO BENCH PRESIDENTS

ZAGREB, June 7 (Hina) - Croatian parliament vice president and chairman of the Constitution, Rule Book and Political System Committee, Vladimir Seks, on Monday forwarded to political party bench presidents a draft constitutional bill on Croatia's Constitutional Court. The draft bill among else says Croatia's expert and wider public both agree in principle on the necessity of amending the constitutional law on Croatia's Constitutional Court. The changes are aimed at strengthening the position of the Constitutional Court; given that the changes are numerous, the passing of a new, integral constitutional law on the Constitutional Court has been suggested; the new bill includes almost all provisions of the present constitutional law. According to new suggestions, a Constitutional Court judge would not be able to abstain from voting, except when he has taken part in the passing of a law, regulation or decision being debated. The new constitutional law would also incorporate all provisions of the Constitutional Court's Rule Book referring to conditions and deadlines for initiating proceedings, the assessment of constitutionality and legality before the Constitutional Court and the legal effect of its decisions, and provisions of acts aimed at the protection of man's and citizen's constitutional freedoms and rights. Also motioned were amendments to procedural regulations aimed at strengthening and facilitating the Constitutional Court's work. (hina) ha