Minister: Amendments won't make mayors, county heads stronger

Public Administration Minister Lovro Kuscevic on Thursday refused criticism that draft amendments to the law on local and regional self-government units would additionally reinforce the position of the heads of municipalities, towns and counties and make their dismissal impossible.

Earlier on Thursday, the government sent to parliament draft amendments to the law on local and regional self-government units and Minister Kuscevic insists that the changes are aimed at contributing to a greater political stability, a better cohabitation and cooperation between representative and executive bodies and improvement in direct voting on all decision important for local communities.

Addressing a news conference, Minister Kuscevic said that the amendments, sponsored by his ministry, would actually reduce the powers of local office-holders.

The amendments strip municipal heads, mayors and county prefects of the right, which they now enjoy, to dissolve representative bodies (local legislatures), the minister said.

Under the amendments, municipal heads, mayors and county prefects may be relieved of their duties by the government if they fail to propose budgets, without the dissolution of the local legislature, he explained.

Under the proposed amendments, representative bodies (legislatures that is local councils) can be dissolved only if they fail to vote on budgets without giving a reason, Kuscevic said.

"I cannot see any instrument making municipal heads, mayors and county prefects untouchable," the minister said insisting that the powers of those office-holders will be scaled down.

Text: Hina

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