For the third week in a row, the parliamentary majority, if it still exists, cannot gather 76 MPs in one place.
While Parliament managed to find a quorum for a vote to include in the agenda of the current session as many as 25 new items, when the voting started on decisions which had already been debated, the quorum was no more, reports Index.hr on May 13, 2016.
“Of course, it is not good that Parliament is not functioning as it should and that some are playing political games. The quorum is the duty of the ruling majority and my conclusion is clear: this country needs to go to new elections”, said Radimir Čačić (Reformists).
“The quorum has been checked twice and it was determined that there were only 75 MPs present in the chamber”, said Dragica Zgrabec (SDP). “They tried to find the quorum for the third time and they did not have it”, said Igor Dragovan (SDP).
Finance Minister Marić, who way in Parliament to defend government’s proposals, left the chamber.
“It is evident that there is no majority and that is what we have said would happen. This is a disgrace. For the third Friday in a row, they do not have the majority. Croatia has neither the government nor the parliamentary majority. This Parliament cannot function, and the Croatian citizens are the victims”, said Dragovan.
“It is not true that we do not have the majority. I do not know why some MPs were not in the chamber. They should be present”, said Ivan Tepeš (HSP AS).
“You will hear about a new parliamentary majority. The 76th MP was in the chamber, but he did not want to register for the voting. Some suggested that MPs should be counted by hand. Just wait and you will see there is a new parliamentary majority. It is always possible someone might change their mind”, said Milivoj Špika (BUZ).
“Some people are sick, but we are doctors and we will help them get better. All MOST’s MPs will be here next Friday to vote”, said Ines Strenja Linić (MOST). Josip Đakić (HDZ) said that several of their MPs were not in Zagreb due to other obligations.
Administration Minister Dubravka Jurlina Alibegović did not want to comment on the fact there was no quorum.
One of the proposals which are still waiting to be voted on by Parliament is the law which would abolish the Office of the Former President Stjepan Mesić.
