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Zagreb - Only one candidate for the position of Parliament Speaker was proposed at the parliament's inaugural session on Thursday - 55 deputies of the Social Democratic Party-led Croatia Is Growing coalition proposed that Robert Podolnjak, a deputy of the Bridge reformist party, be appointed to that position - but the Croatian Democratic Union voted against and Podolnjak turned down the nomination.
Podolnjak said that he would accept his appointment only if the parliament voted him in by consensus, to which incumbent Parliament Speaker Josip Leko stated that this meant that no valid proposals had been put forward and adjourned the session, adding that it would resume when the majority needed to inaugurate the parliament was formed.
The session of the eighth parliament was attended by all 151 elected members of Parliament. Also attending were President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic and members of his caretaker government, former parliament speakers, judicial officials, leaders of political parties, religious dignitaries and other guests.
Before opening the session, Leko said that former Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) member Mirko Raskovic would not be able to vote for the new parliament speaker. Raskovic has resigned from his position as an MP conditionally, which means that his resignation takes effect the moment the parliament is inaugurated and its speaker appointed, explained Leko. (Hina)