ZAGREB, Oct 27 (Hina) - Parliamentary benches at the Croatian House of Representatives on Wednesday presented a series of objections to the proposed election bill, describing it as incomplete to a degree which jeopardises the fairness
of the elections. Representatives of the "Opposition Six" especially objected to the failure to reach a consensus with the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) on the election law, and the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) blamed the ruling party for this. Vladimir Seks of the HDZ rejected the accusation, adding his party was in favour of a consensual solution but the talks were discontinued by the Opposition, which was constantly coming up with new conditions. An IDS representative said the Opposition faced the elections with suspicion regarding their fairness, because the election regulations the Opposition and the HDZ had agreed on in May this year - the number of electoral units and MPs
ZAGREB, Oct 27 (Hina) - Parliamentary benches at the Croatian House
of Representatives on Wednesday presented a series of objections to
the proposed election bill, describing it as incomplete to a degree
which jeopardises the fairness of the elections.
Representatives of the "Opposition Six" especially objected to the
failure to reach a consensus with the Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ) on the election law, and the Istrian Democratic Assembly
(IDS) blamed the ruling party for this.
Vladimir Seks of the HDZ rejected the accusation, adding his party
was in favour of a consensual solution but the talks were
discontinued by the Opposition, which was constantly coming up with
new conditions.
An IDS representative said the Opposition faced the elections with
suspicion regarding their fairness, because the election
regulations the Opposition and the HDZ had agreed on in May this
year - the number of electoral units and MPs and the reorganisation
of Croatian Television (HTV) into a public television - had been
changed. He described as inappropriate the unclear answer given by
the President of the Republic to foreign reporters regarding the
recognition of election results.
Describing this as an impudent provocation, Seks said such
statements were aimed at depicting the President and the HDZ as an
undemocratic party.
"The HDZ cannot violate the Constitution in order to meet someone
halfway, but it will attempt to protect national interests through
the elections. It will do all it can so that the elections are
organised in an atmosphere of tolerance and suspicion regarding
their fairness dispelled", he said.
During the debate, several parliamentary benches criticised the
suggested election date and warned about the negative reactions of
the domestic and foreign public as well as of church
representatives.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) bench believes the suggested
date, December 22 - which will be a holiday, will in the current
difficult economic and social situation only increase costs to
several hundred million kuna. The party wants a more precise
definition of who can perform the duties of a parliamentary
representative as well as the introduction of a regulation
according to which persons heading the lists of candidates must
also be running in the elections.
The suggested bill is "a murky picture with many unclear details",
the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) believes. It will
therefore propose amendments regarding election monitoring by non-
government organisations and voters' lists and demand a clear
statement from the President of the Republic that he will give the
mandate for establishing the Government to a person from the party
or the coalition which wins the most votes.
Welcoming the suggestion by the House of Counties that the number of
MPs be increased from 12 to 14, the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP)
bench proposed that the non-fixed quota for Croatian citizens
without permanent residence in Croatia be revoked because in that
aspect they would be discriminated against in relation to voters
within Croatia. The HSP also called for the introduction of the
postal vote.
The Croatian People's Party (HNS)/Istrian Democratic Forum (IDF)
bench announced an amendment on the division of Croatia into nine
electoral units so as to avoid splitting counties.
Opposition and HDZ representatives were also in disagreement
regarding the principle of positive discrimination, i.e., the
possibility for minorities to vote for both party and minority
lists. This principle was supported, among others, by the SDP and
the LS, whereas the HSP opposed the request by the international
community that those who do not have Croatian passports and live
abroad also be allowed to vote.
The bench of independent and minority representatives announced an
amendment which is aimed at increasing the number of minority MPs.
The bench warned that the number of minority representatives was
constantly decreasing although according to the election bill the
overall number of MPs in the Lower House would increase.
The bench will suggest the election of eight minority
representatives and support the acquired rights for the Serb
minority as well as the principle of positive discrimination.
(hina) jn rml