"I cannot confirm such information, but I can say that I have been given a suggestion to that effect - to convene the parliament for a regular sitting and provide for the possibility of a fair parliamentary debate to last until September 25, so that we can prepare the state and society for functioning until a new parliament's term," Leko said when asked if it was true that the parliament would be dissolved on September 25.
Leko expects the parliamentary majority to prepare in the first week of its regular sitting next week a draft decision on dissolving the parliament by September 25.
The last regular session of the current parliament begins on Wednesday, September 16, and is to be held on September 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 25. It will start, as usual, with Question Time.
Before its dissolution, the parliament will discuss, for the most part, priority issues proposed by the government. "We expect the government to submit in the first week (of the regular sitting) acts that will enable a fully normal life and work in Croatia until a new government and parliament are elected," Leko said, mentioning in that context a budget revision, a decision on provisional financing and the related financial legislation.
He dismissed criticisms from the opposition that the extraordinary parliamentary session that started earlier today was of an electioneering character and that five bills over which the government had requested it could have been discussed at the regular sitting next week.
Bills have been prepared which we consider important for Croatian citizens and society, the session was prepared in line with the parliamentary rules of procedure, said Leko.
If the parliament is dissolved on September 25, parliamentary elections could be held in the period between October 25 and November 22, according to unofficial interpretations by sources in the parliament. Elections are held on a Sunday so President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic would be able to choose a date among five Sundays.