Croatian President Calls Extraordinary Parliament Session Over Illegal Waste Dumping

Croatian President Zoran Milanović has initiated a significant political move by requesting an extraordinary session of the Croatian Parliament to address the pressing issue of illegal waste dumping in the Lika region. This decision follows a failed attempt to hold a parliamentary committee meeting on the matter in Gospić.

Milanović formally submitted his request to Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, invoking Article 79, Paragraph 2 of the Croatian Constitution. This action formally begins the process of interrupting the parliament's summer recess and reconvening lawmakers. The Croatian Parliament typically convenes from January 15 to July 15 and from September 15 to December 15, but the constitution allows for extraordinary sessions under specific circumstances.

According to parliamentary procedure, Jandroković must now convene the extraordinary session within eight days of receiving the president's request. Milanović has also provided a specific agenda with four proposed conclusions for the parliament to debate. Crucially, the Parliament Speaker cannot alter, reject, or add to the topics proposed by the president.

The president's decision to call for an extraordinary session comes after a planned session of the Environmental Protection and Nature Committee in Gospić, intended to discuss the scale of pollution and illegal waste disposal in Lika, could not be held. For the extraordinary session to proceed, a quorum of at least 76 members of parliament is required. If this quorum is not met, or if members leave the chamber, the session cannot continue its work or make decisions. While Milanović can set the agenda, the ruling HDZ party and its partners hold a parliamentary majority and could vote down his proposed conclusions.