Croatian Speaker Given Powers of Ill President

Croatia’s Constitutional Court declared ailing President Franjo Tudjman temporarily unfit to rule and handed his powers to parliament Speaker Vlatko Pavletic on Friday.

“The decision takes effect immediately,” court President Jadranko Crnic told reporters. Pavletic will act as president for a 60-day period, which can be renewed indefinitely.

Croatia without Tudjman’s direction, even temporarily, would have been inconceivable only a month ago, when the authoritarian leader still firmly held his grip on power. He has almost single-handedly ruled over all walks of Croatian life since 1991.

But Tudjman, 77, has been in critical condition since being hospitalized with a ruptured intestine Nov. 1.

The man who guided Croatia through the turmoil of Yugoslavia’s breakup to independence in 1991 has twice undergone surgery, but his condition was aggravated by peritonitis, internal bleeding and malfunction of vital organs.

The power transfer, however significant, probably will not bring major changes to the country.

“I can promise that I will do everything in my power to prevent any lack of continuity,” said Pavletic, a 69-year-old academic. He pledged to “continue to do what the president would do to ensure the smooth functioning of the country and its institutions.”

Pavletic will not hold the title of president but will discharge presidential duties, including promulgating laws and an interim budget.

“To avoid disruption . . . I take over duties, tasks and powers of the president of the republic,” he said at an inauguration ceremony.

The current parliament’s mandate expires today, and the provisional election date of Dec. 22 had to be abandoned after Tudjman failed to order the vote in time.

The top policy body of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) decided in a meeting late Friday to call for the poll to take place Jan. 3.

Pavletic said the ruling party has every right to call the poll, so he can be expected to act as suggested.

Analysts believe that the HDZ counts on a large holiday-time influx of Croatians working abroad, who traditionally vote HDZ, to help it stay in power.

On Wednesday, legislators had amended the constitution to allow Pavletic to run the country temporarily.

The HDZ said it would not activate the clause on “permanent incapacitation” so as not to strip Tudjman of his presidential status while he is alive.

Instead, it asked parliament to approve a constitutional amendment allowing for declaration of the president’s temporary disability to discharge his duties.

After consulting Tudjman’s doctors, the government sent the proposal to the court Thursday evening.