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Zagreb - Croatian lawmakers on Wednesday were debating the government's proposal to allow Ukrainian soldiers to train in Croatia as part of the EUMAM mission, with the opposition claiming that the proposal is unconstitutional and that MPs are collateral victims of the dispute between the President and the Prime Minister.
Lawmakers from the ruling HDZ claim that procedure was complied with and called on the opposition to be on the right side of history.
A two-thirds majority vote is required to confirm the government's proposal on the participation of the Croatian armed forces in the EU Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (EUMAM).
"We cannot allow the Croatian legal order, the Croatian Constitution, to be a collateral victim and to bring into question everything we have built for 32 years on account of the conflict between two egos," said Peđa Grbin (SDP).
Dario Zurovec (Focus, Reformists and Independents) also believes that such a decision would be a violation of procedure.
"This is an ordinary rivalry between the president and prime minister in which Croatia is the victim," he said and added: "A big yes for helping Ukraine, but also a big no if the Constitution is going to be breached."
Marijan Pavliček (Sovereignists) said that the interest and security of the Croatian people and the state must come first. "Humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine, yes; accept refugees from Ukraine, yes; but to allow the training of not only the Ukrainian army but any other foreign army that is currently in a war, no," Pavliček said, adding that this move would expose the Croatian people to additional risks.
Stipo Mlinarić (Homeland Movement) believes that the president and prime minister, have to come to an agreement and not compel lawmakers "to declare whether they are for Ukraine or Russia." "We have made it clear that we are for Ukraine," he said.
HDZ MPs underscored that Defence Minister Mario Banožić sent a letter to President Zoran Milanović on 14 November, recalling that the President had previously approved similar letters.
"The procedure is in accordance with the Constitution and 20 years of practice," HDZ whip Branko Bačić said, adding that in recent years this procedure has always been conducted in the same way.
"This is an attempt by the opposition to hide behind the alleged unconstitutionality, while in fact it lacks empathy for the Ukraine people as victims," said Bačić.
The Bridge party is not participating in today's debate because they believe that the topic was put on the agenda unconstitutionally.
"Why participate in a discussion that does not exist for us? It was foisted on the Sabor bypassing the Constitution, and we swore to the Croatian Constitution, not to Andrej Plenković's career in Brussels. He has promised Brussels all kinds of things without first consulting those he should have," Nikola Grmoja (Bridge) told reporters.
He called on the President and government to come to an agreement because Bridge supports aid for the Ukrainian people, but in a constitutional way.