ZAGREB, Oct 26 (Hina) - Following a several-hour and at times fiery discussion, the Croatian Parliament House of Counties supported the final electoral bill Tuesday. MPs supported the amendment to the first bill motioned by the ruling
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party bench, according to which in stead of 108 representatives in nine electoral units, 140 representatives would be elected into the House of Representatives in ten units in the upcoming parliamentary elections. This means that in every electoral unit in Croatia, 14 representatives would be voted for, and representatives of national minorities and Croatian citizens without residence in Croatia would vote in special electoral units, Ivan Brlekovic said on behalf of the HDZ party bench. Opposition MPs criticised the HDZ bench, which motioned the bill, that it had not accepted numerous criticisms in the first reading: that the bill was not harmonised among parties,
ZAGREB, Oct 26 (Hina) - Following a several-hour and at times fiery
discussion, the Croatian Parliament House of Counties supported
the final electoral bill Tuesday.
MPs supported the amendment to the first bill motioned by the ruling
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party bench, according to which in
stead of 108 representatives in nine electoral units, 140
representatives would be elected into the House of Representatives
in ten units in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
This means that in every electoral unit in Croatia, 14
representatives would be voted for, and representatives of
national minorities and Croatian citizens without residence in
Croatia would vote in special electoral units, Ivan Brlekovic said
on behalf of the HDZ party bench.
Opposition MPs criticised the HDZ bench, which motioned the bill,
that it had not accepted numerous criticisms in the first reading:
that the bill was not harmonised among parties, that is, that it was
a motion by the HDZ, drafted to accommodate the party.
Referring to the fact that the Parliament had only in eight days
completed discussions on several very important subjects -- the
election of judges into the Constitutional Court, election
legislature -- members of the Opposition concluded that the HDZ in
fact did not wish an agreement with the opposition on the electoral
legislature and work regulations for the Croatian Radio and
Television during election-time.
Almost all representatives of opposition party benches expressed
dissatisfaction with the date chosen for elections, saying that in
the circle of European countries, to which Croatia belonged, it was
usual practice that elections are held on a Sunday. Elections have
been scheduled for Wednesday, December 22.
Several other criticisms and suggestions were expressed during the
discussion, including regarding the election of national minority
MPs, the ways of supervising the elections, candidates leading
lists of candidates and so on.
The Opposition claimed that the person heading the list of
candidates should also be a candidate on the list.
The Opposition also criticised the motioned provision on electoral
units, especially the way in which Zagreb has been divided, into
four units.
President of the HDZ party bench, Vladimir Seks, described as
incorrect and unfounded conclusions drawn by the Opposition from a
statement made by President Tudjman that he would conduct himself
according to the Constitution after the elections, that he would
not accept the electoral results.
Commenting on a claim that the HDZ did not want an agreement on the
electoral law and the HRT, Seks recalled in detail the chronology of
negotiations between the HDZ and the Opposition Six, stressing the
"Opposition Six" kept repeating the same conditions.
Seks, among other things, stressed that the HDZ would not, under
anybody's pressures, consent to ensure the right to vote for people
who did not regulate their Croatian citizenship.
(hina) lml jn