CRO LOWER HOUSE - NO DEBATE ON DISSOLUTION ON 12 NOVEMBER

ZAGREB, Nov 10 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Representatives on Wednesday concluded a discussion on a motion by the bench of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) that the Lower House be dissolved on 12 November in view of plans to hold parliamentary elections on 22 December. The HDZ bench believes that in order for all parties to be able to prepare for the elections, there is no need for the Lower House to remain in function until the end of the constitutional mandate on 27 November. Today's discussion was the last item on the agenda of the 43rd session, and the House of Representatives will vote on the motion on 12 November. Even though opposition parties recently suggested that the Lower House should stay in function until the end of the constitutional mandate, no opposition MP today spoke on the matter. A brief debate was held on draft amendments to the Law on the Rights of Representatives. Benches of the Croatian Social Liberal Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Croatian People's Party/Istrian Democratic Forum strongly criticised the salaries and pensions of state officials and representatives, asserting they were inappropriate in the current social situation. According to the amendments, motioned by the Legislation Committee, the right to pension would apply to MPs with at least 20 years of service and a minimum age of 55 for men and 50 for women. Another condition would be a minimum two-year MP service. Pension would be 85 percent of the MP's salary. Also concluded today was a debate on a draft decision on the temporary financing of public expenses for the first trimester of 2000. (hina) ha jn