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Zagreb - Speaker Gordan Jandroković told MPs on Wednesday at the first session of the tenth parliament that being appointed speaker for the second time was a great honour and that he would discharge his duty responsibly.
He said the appointment made him proud. "It's a confirmation of the election results which have shown that citizens support the direction in which the previous government and parliamentary majority took the state, as well as a recognition for all the achievements of the past four years."
Jandroković said he would push for the promotion and strengthening of the highest values of the constitutional order as well as the strengthening of and respect for institutions. "This moment demands common sense, calm and seriousness from all of us. And above all, dedication in serving the common interest and Croatian citizens."
He recalled the 30th anniversary of the first Croatian parliament, marked this year, saying the Sabor had always guarded Croatian statehood and protected the interests of the Croatian people.
Croatia today, like the whole world, is in a time full of challenges, faced with a pandemic and an economic crisis, but the government responded quickly and well to protect health, lives and jobs, Jandroković said.
"In these complex circumstances, the Croatian Sabor was one of the few European parliaments that worked without a break, passing laws essential for Croatia."
He congratulated Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on the €22 billion that Croatia will get in the next seven-year EU budget, calling on MPs to be responsible in building Croatian society.
He also called on MPs to behave responsibly, to respect each other and accept the principles of work for the common good and the interests of the country based on truth, freedom, justice and equality.
"In order to convince the other side that one's arguments are right, debates can be harsh, but they should be based on openness, tolerance, understanding of what has been said, and respect for colleagues and their opposite views and opinions. We here in the Croatian Sabor aren't enemies. We have different ideas, but I believe we all stand for Croatia's well-being," Jandroković said, adding that this was especially important in this challenging time.
He said he was pleased that this Sabor had more women MPs than the last one but still not enough.
Jandroković reiterated that a law on the post-earthquake reconstruction of Zagreb would be one of the first to be passed by the new parliament.