ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - Croatian opposition parties on Saturday confirmed that Vladimir Seks of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) had forwarded them by noon today a draft of the possible solution regarding the institute of temporary
disability of the President of the Republic. Opposition party bodies will today and tomorrow state their opinion regarding the proposal, and opposition representatives will present their stands at a meeting with the Parliament President on Monday noon.
ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - Croatian opposition parties on Saturday
confirmed that Vladimir Seks of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ)
had forwarded them by noon today a draft of the possible solution
regarding the institute of temporary disability of the President of
the Republic. Opposition party bodies will today and tomorrow state
their opinion regarding the proposal, and opposition
representatives will present their stands at a meeting with the
Parliament President on Monday noon. #L#
The draft solution regarding the regulation of the institute of
temporary disability, which Seks presented to the Opposition,
favours neither the adoption of a separate law nor changes to the
Constitution.
It is not the form but the content that is important, Seks said when
asked whether the draft was submitted in the form of a law or an
amendment to the Constitution. Asked whether a separate law could
be the solution since for a law to go into force it has to be signed by
the President of the Republic, Seks said the Parliament, which has
the power to adopt laws, can in the law itself state that the decree
on its proclamation is adopted by the Croatian National Sabor
itself.
Amending the Constitution is a possibility as well, Seks said,
adding he expected a majority of opposition parties would accept
HDZ's proposal.
The draft proposal was discussed and confirmed at a session of the
HDZ Presidency, held late on Friday evening.
According to the draft, in case of temporary disability of the
President of the Republic to perform his duties, the Parliament
President would stand in for the President. If the House of
Representatives is dissolved, the last President of the House of
Representatives would stand in for the President of the Republic
until new Parliament President is elected.
According to the draft, the beginning and end of the President's
temporary disability to perform his duties would be established by
the President of the Republic himself with a written decision. In
case the President is not able to establish that, his temporary
disability would be established by the Constitutional Court at the
request of the Government.
Some opposition parties have already held consultations on the HDZ
proposal. The proposal has been discussed by the Istrian Democratic
Assembly (IDS), who believe the question of temporary disability of
the President should be regulated exclusively by an amendment to
the Constitution, IDS president Ivan Jakovcic said following a
session of the party presidency in Pazin today.
Most of the opposition parties will voice their opinion tomorrow.
Some consultations have already been held at the Social Democratic
Party (SDP) and some are still to be held, said SDP president Ivica
Racan. SDP's final stand on the issue will be known on Monday.
Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) president Zlatko Tomcic did not want
to present his personal stand on the HDZ proposal until the party
presidency voiced its opinion.
Although he did not know the details of Seks's proposal, Croatian
Party of Rights' (HSP) president Anto Djapic reminded of his
party's stand that one should protect the President's dignity. The
HSP will not support solutions which should question the
President's dignity, Djapic said.
Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU) president Marko
Veselica did not want to comment on the HDZ proposal, adding the
matter was very serious and required a thorough analysis.
(hina) rml