SEKS PRESENTS CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, MPS START DISCUSSION

ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) proposed a constitutional law on the temporary disability of the President of the Republic to perform his duties, in order to offer, in a responsible and thoughtful manner, solutions aimed at strengthening the constitutional order and the functioning of the state, said Vladimir Seks at the session of the National Sabor's House of Representatives while expounding the law which regulates procedures and time limits for the replacement of Croatia's President, in case of his temporary disability, by the National Sabor's President. The draft Constitutional Law, submitted by one fifth of the MPs, who are HDZ members, envisages that the temporary disability of the President of the Republic will begin when he issues his public written decree on it, or if it is not possible the proposal for this matter will be submitted by the Government to the Constitutional Court. The Government will be bound to initiate this procedure, if the President does not perform his duties, no later than 30 days from the day which it officially takes as the date since when President is incapable of carrying out his duties. The Constitutional Court will have to make a ruling within 24 hours after receiving the Government's proposal. This draft law specifies that the temporary disability lasts 30 days and after the expiry of this period, the Government will be able to propose to the Constitutional Court to define once again temporary disability or to establish whether it may be the case that the President is permanently prevented from performing his duties (in accordance to the Constitution's Article 97). This solution was reached by consensus of parliamentary parties, but until the end of the parliamentary discussion the proposer would think over whether to abide by it, Seks told the parliament. The HDZ official stressed that a great part of solutions included in the Constitutional Law had been made during the process of harmonising views of all political parties. The HDZ bench's head said the consensus on adoption of the Constitutional Law had not been reached as the opposition made it conditional on the determination of the date of the election. "The HDZ has not consented on it," he added. Seks recalled that a two-third majority of votes is necessary for passing this Constitutional Law. I believe that the conscience of all deputies would overcome all other interests and that in this crucial moment for the stability of Croatia they will vote in favour," the HDZ deputy appealed on MPs. Seks announced that his party would request that MPs express their personal opinions on this draft law. He stressed that during the settlement of this important issue on which the constitutional and political stability of the Croatian state depends, the HDZ obeyed the principle of protecting the reputation, dignity and role of the first Croatian President, the creator of the Croatian state and its independence and freedom - Franjo Tudjman. The HDZ followed the principle that Tudjman's fighting for life should not be reflected or exploited in any sense. The HDZ wanted to solve the question of his dignity, in a considerate manner to a maximum degree and conscientiously, as well as the issue of the regular functioning of all elements of the state authority, Seks said. A discussion on this draft Constitutional Law began immediately after the session of the Committee for rules, the Constitution and the political system which supported the bill. (hina) ms