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Opposition criticises gov't for last-minute constitutional amendments

Autor: mses
ZAGREB, June 16 (Hina) - The Opposition on Wednesday criticised the government for moving its amendments to a bill of constitutional amendments at the last moment, after the bill was harmonised following months of negotiations.

Deputies of the Croatian People Party (HNS) said they would vote against the government's proposal that the preamble to the Constitution should incorporate a formulation on Homeland Defence War soldiers, which the HNS views as a negation of the participation of other citizens in Croatia's defence.

Deputies of the regional HDSSB party also voiced opposition to that amendment, which defines the 1991-1995 Homeland War as a just and legitimate war of liberation but stops short of stating that it was a defensive war. Boro Grubisic of HDSSB interpreted it as a solution in accordance with the idea that Croatia "should give up the lawsuit for aggression and say that no one is to blame (for the war)".

Speaking on behalf of the club of ethnic minorities, Furio Radin told the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the strongest opposition party -- the Social Democratic Party (SDP) -- to promulgate the new Constitution by themselves, accusing them of backing out of the agreement to change the constitutional law on national minorities' rights before amending the Constitution.

SDP leader Zoran Milanovic also criticised the government's last-minute amendments, recalling that important issues had been discussed for months.

He called on the government to accept an amendment on lowering the percentage of voters whose signatures should be collected for calling referendums, from the current 10-percent requirement to five percent.

"It's up to you to decide whether we will be afraid of the people or whether we will adopt strict and clear rules," Milanovic said.

Andrija Hebrang of the HDZ said that the incorporation of the formulation on Homeland War veterans was necessary at a time when "various petty politicians are slandering and spreading lies about them."

Milorad Pupovac of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) urged immediate adoption of the new constitution in order to avoid new rounds of possible amendments.

(Hina) ms

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