SABOR ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON FINANCING OF POLITICAL PARTIES

ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - Political parties should, according to the budget for 1999, receive 20 million kuna, motioned the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party bench at Thursday's session of the Croatian National Sabor's House of Representatives. According to amendments to the Law on Political Parties, about 0.056 per cent of budgetary funds would be set aside for the financing of political parties next year. This would amount to 20 instead of three million kuna as would have been set aside according to valid provisions, HDZ's Djuro Njavro said. The amendments also stipulate the allocation of funds for political parties, so that 20 per cent would be distributed equally among parties in the parliament, and the remaining 80 per cent according to the representation of parties in the parliament. Njavro estimated that the increase in budgetary funds for the financing of parties would contribute to the stability of the political system and the organisation of a stable democracy and political life in Croatia. The Sabor's Judiciary Committee endorsed the amendments. Jozo Rados of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) bench aid the amendments would contribute to stability and order in Croatian politics. Ivan Milas of the HDZ bench, held that it was a democratic move for the success in elections to be a gauge of fund distribution. Ivan Gabelica of the Croatian Pure Party of Rights (HCSP) bench held the amendments were a step in a positive direction, but also motioned that the provision stipulating the financing only of parties that have made their way into the parliament be rescinded. Srecko Bijelic of the Croatian people's Party and Istrian Democratic Forum bench endorsed the amendments, but held that a third of the envisaged funds should be distributed among all parties, while two thirds to parliamentary parties, according to the number of MPs representing them. (hina) lml mm