NEW PARLIAMENT CONVENES, NEW GOVERNMENT TOMORROW

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000018 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/PPD AND EUR/RPM OSD FOR WINTERNITZ, NSC FOR BRAUN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL HR SUBJECT: NEW PARLIAMENT CONVENES, NEW GOVERNMENT TOMORROW ¶1. SUMMARY: The newly-elected Croatian parliament (Sabor) convened on January 11, selecting Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) representative Luka Bebic as their new Speaker. Bebic, formerly the Sabor,s principal vice president, replaces his close associate and fellow HDZ-er Vladimir Seks, who will serve as a vice president and chair the important Committee on Constitution, Rules of Procedure and Political System. In its first meeting, the Sabor also selected three vice presidents from the ranks of parliamentary majority. In addition to Seks, HDZ Secretary General Ivan Jarnjak and Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) leader Josip Friscic are new deputy speakers. No vice presidents have yet been selected from the opposition, as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Croatian People,s Party (HNS) couldn,t agree on the two remaining candidates. The issue is expected to be resolved at the next session scheduled to take place on January 12, when the new cabinet is scheduled to seek a vote of confidence. On its first day, the new Sabor has also selected the membership of four committees needed to change legislation governing the organization of ministries. END SUMMARY. SPEAKER BEBIC FROM RANKS OF HDZ FOUNDERS -------------- ¶2. Luka Bebic was one of the founding members of the HDZ in ¶1989. An agronomist by profession, he has been elected to the Sabor since the first multiparty elections in 1990. In 1991 he briefly served as Minister of Defense, and then chaired the Internal Affairs and National Security Committee from 1992 to 1996. In 1996 he served as the Director of the National Security Bureau, and the next two years as then-President Tudjman,s advisor on national security. In 2003, he reemerged as a prominent HDZ member with his selection as principal deputy speaker. Much like his predecessor Seks, Bebic is one of the few original HDZ members who managed to retain his place in the party leadership through its reform to a modern conservative European party. Bebic was born in 1937 near the southern town of Metkovic. He is married with two adult children. GOVERNMENT CONFIDENCE VOTE ON JANUARY 12 -------------- ¶3. The Sabor is scheduled to hold its next session on Saturday to vote on a new government. On January 11, PM Sanader confirmed the following as the other 17 members of the cabinet he will present: - Jadranka Kosor (HDZ),Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Family and Veterans, Affairs - Damir Polancec (HDZ),Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy - Djurdja Adlesic* (Croatian Social Liberal Party-HSLS), Deputy Prime Minister responsible for internal affairs - Slobodan Uzelac* (Independent Democratic Serbian Party-SDSS),Deputy Prime Minister responsible for external affairs - Gordan Jandrokovic* (HDZ),Minister of Foreign Affairs - Branko Vukelic** (HDZ),Minister of Defense - Berislav Roncevic** (HDZ),Minister of Interior - Ivan Suker (HDZ),Minister of Finance - Bozidar Kalmeta (HDZ),Minister of Transport and Infrastructure - Darko Milinovic* (HDZ),Minister of Health - Ana Lovrin (HDZ),Minister of Justice - Bozidar Pankretic* (HSS),Minister of Agriculture - Damir Bajs* (HSS),Minister of Tourism - Marina Matulovic-Dropulic (HDZ),Minister of Environment and Urban Planning - Bozo Biskupic (HDZ),Ministry of Culture - Petar Cobankovic** (HDZ),Minister of Regional Development, Water Management and Forestry - Dragan Primorac (HDZ),Minister of Education and Science. * - new ministers ** - ministers returning but to different portfolios ¶4. The HDZ,s negotiations with coalition partners in the HSS, HSLS and minority parties resulted in a cabinet that represents relatively little change from the previous government, with only six new faces, three old ministers with new portfolios, and two new ministries: Tourism (separated from Kalmeta,s previous Ministry of Sea, Tourism, Traffic and Transport) and Regional Development, Water Management and Forestry. Biographies of ministers to follow septel after government is approved. BRADTKE