The ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party adopted a new statute at its general convention in Zagreb on Saturday.

The document, amended after a full 18 years, aims to ensure better functioning of the party and stronger position of youth and women. It provides for the possibility of an intra-party referendum and for the suspension of a member against whom a criminal investigation has been launched.

The national council and the main committee will be joined to form the national committee, and the party’s leader, his or her deputy and four vice-leaders will be elected on a one-member-one-vote basis.

“This is a modern statute that will democratise the party’s work,” the HDZ leader and Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, said.

The statute was adopted with three votes against. It was not said how many delegates took part in the vote.