PARLIAMENT DEBATES NEW RULES OF PROCEDURE

ZAGREB, May 25 (Hina) - The House of Representatives today discussed draft Rules of Procedure, proposed by the Committee on Constitution and Rules of Procedure. The proposed Rules define the function of officers of the Parliament, significantly limit the Speaker's authority and abolish the third reading of bills and the institute of interpellation. The proposal also bans parties who had not won a seat at the polls (but had subsequently gained seats owing to Members changing parties or founding their own) from forming Party Groups. The proposal sparked off a lively and spirited debate, opened by Srecko Bijelic (Croatian National Party). He proposed that the Speaker be elected by secret ballot from among several candidates, naturally from the ruling party. The secret ballot idea was seconded by Liberal member Jozo Rados. Zarko Domljan (Croatian Democratic Union) criticised the current practice where "anyone could form a Party Group" which was not the case in European parliaments. Stipe Mesic (Croatian Independent Democrats) would like the rules of procedure to protect the majority party as well as the minority parties. He described the proposed rules as a reflection of the "deep- seated fears" of the party now in rule. Miko Tripalo (Social Democratic Action Party of Croatia) asked why not leave rules of procedure for the next Parliament to change? Mato Arlovic (Social Democratic Party) criticised some of the provisions as inconstitutional. He spoke strongly in favour of leaving the institute of interpellation intact. He was seconded by Boris Tepsic (Croatian Social Liberal Party) who pointed out that interpellation allowed the House to discuss the work of the Government or particular ministers. Interpellation gave much broader scope for debate than a motion for a vote of (no) confidence in the Government or particular ministers, he explained. (hina) jn as 251612 MET may 95