Croatia's parliament, the Sabor, today observes the 21st anniversary of the inauguration of the first free, multiparty parliament and the Sabor's historic role in the preservation of Croatian statehood through the centuries.
On 30 May 1990, deputies elected in the first multiparty, democratic elections gathered in St. Mark's Square, where the Sabor is located, and that date is considered the birthday of modern Croatian democracy.
The inauguration of the modern Croatian parliament marked the beginning of a new age for the Croatian people and citizens.
The Sabor became the place where crucial decisions on Croatia's future were adopted - the Constitution, the constitutional decision on Croatia's sovereignty and independence, and the decision to sever ties with the former Yugoslavia.
Today, parliamentary work focuses on the upgrading of legislation in order to achieve the democratic and economic standards and values of developed societies. A lot of parliament's activity focuses on the passage of laws and regulations aligned with European Union legislation.
Until 2001, May 30 was observed as Statehood Day, but amendments to the law on public holidays proclaimed it Croatian Sabor Day and it is observed as a memorial day.
Last week, Speaker Luka Bebic wished all MPs success in the coming period, including in elections for the seventh Sabor, due later this year.
Commenting on parliament's work over the past 20 years and the activities of the sixth Sabor, he said they focused on the alignment of Croatian legislation to EU standards and that this process was nearing completion.
Bebic said the current MPs would continue passing laws and regulations aligned with those in the EU as well as those necessary for the development of the democratic system.
