Croatia makes changes to constitution

The Croatian parliament on Wednesdaz passed a two-third majority vote endorsing constitutional amendments, Beta news agency reports. This enabled the extradition of Croatian citizens to other countries and adopted a number of bills necessary for the completion of talks with the EU. Croatia makes changes to constitution Parliament also passed, again by a two-thirds majority, amendments to the constitutional law on national minority rights, which guarantee the Serb national minority at least three seats. After a whole day of debate, the amendments to the Constitution were backed by 133 MPs, four were against, while one abstained from voting. The amendments to the Constitutional law on national minority rights were supported by 129 MPs, three were against, while four did not vote. Lawmakers also supported the cabinet's amendments, which, among other things, introduce into the Constitution's preamble a statement on the “victory of the Croatian people and defenders in the just, legitimate, defensive and liberating war of independence”. The amendments further envisage that a provision on the extradition of Croatia's citizens to other states in cases of corruption and organized crime, will take effect on the day of constitutional proclamation. Provisions pertaining to European arrest warrants will take effect upon Croatia's admission to the EU. Care for the defenders of the state and their families, at the cabinet's proposal, is now enshrined in the Constitution. Croatian citizens without residence in the country will be able to vote only in diplomatic and consular offices and will collectively elect three MPs in Parliament.

Croatia makes changes to constitution

Parliament also passed, again by a two-thirds majority, amendments to the constitutional law on national minority rights, which guarantee the Serb national minority at least three seats.

After a whole day of debate, the amendments to the Constitution were backed by 133 MPs, four were against, while one abstained from voting. The amendments to the Constitutional law on national minority rights were supported by 129 MPs, three were against, while four did not vote.

Lawmakers also supported the cabinet's amendments, which, among other things, introduce into the Constitution's preamble a statement on the “victory of the Croatian people and defenders in the just, legitimate, defensive and liberating war of independence”.

The amendments further envisage that a provision on the extradition of Croatia's citizens to other states in cases of corruption and organized crime, will take effect on the day of constitutional proclamation. Provisions pertaining to European arrest warrants will take effect upon Croatia's admission to the EU.

Care for the defenders of the state and their families, at the cabinet's proposal, is now enshrined in the Constitution.

Croatian citizens without residence in the country will be able to vote only in diplomatic and consular offices and will collectively elect three MPs in Parliament.