Prohibiting civil society organizations from financing referendum campaigns is almost tantamount to prohibiting parties from financing their own election campaigns, considering the fact that referenda are one of the main forms of citizens’ activism and direct decision-making. At the same, time, political parties are enabled to “buy” parliamentary representatives. Although GONG welcomes most provisions of…
Month: March 2015
Cuckoo’s eggs and buying parliamentary representatives – what lies in the legislative proposal?
Prohibiting civil society organizations from financing referendum campaigns is almost tantamount to prohibiting parties from financing their own election campaigns, considering the fact that referenda are one of the main forms of citizens’ activism and direct decision-making. At the same, time, political parties are enabled to “buy” parliamentary representatives. Although GONG welcomes most provisions of…
Attacks on medical workers, teachers to be prosecuted ex officio
The Croatian government on Thursday sent to parliament final amendments to the Penal Code expanding legal protection to healthcare workers and teachers so that threats and acts of coercion against those workers could be prosecuted ex officio. If a teacher receives threats, he will no longer have to file a private lawsuit, but such offences…
Govt asks Court to reject requests on referenda on outsourcing, motorway lease
The government has sent its opinion to the Constitutional Court with regard to a request to call a state referendum concerning the adoption of a law on the outsourcing of non-core public-sector services, a press release from the closed session of the government on Thursday says. Parliament had requested the Constitutional Court to define whether…
Participatory budgeting and good economy – the ways to a “new” democracy
Participatory budgeting is and aid to good economy and can restore the trust of citizens in politics. However, although a powerful tool, it is not a magic wand and also hinges on political will. The key prerequisite is for citizens to realize that they can and should take part in political decision making, with the…
Antifascist League established in Zagreb
The Antifascist League held its founding meeting in Zagreb on Saturday, saying that it would act as an association of independent organisations of civil society in order to define the position of antifascism in present-day Croatia. The systematic denial and demonisation of antifascism and its values in Croatia have compelled us to renew our efforts…