Third of Croatian Households Only Just Making Ends Meet
May the 8th, 2022 - The number of those at risk of severe poverty across the country is increasing as around a third of Croatian households are only just managing to make ends meet.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, as part of the report on the state of human rights for 2021, the House of Human Rights in Zagreb held a discussion on socio-economic rights where it was pointed out that in Croatia, more than a fifth of the population is at risk of poverty, and a third of Croatian households are barely making ends meet.
The discussion was based on the part of the report entitled "The right to an adequate standard of living" which outlined, in 19 points, the state of the right to housing, access to social services, poverty, social exclusion and social welfare challenges throughout 2021. In addition, problems related to socio-economic rights vulnerable groups were further highlighted in the chapters on the rights of children, national minorities, especially when it comes to Roma and Serbs.
The report states that more than a fifth of Croatia's population is still at risk of poverty and social exclusion. It is even more devastating that every other person over the age of 65 who lives alone is at risk of poverty, and more than half of their pensions are lower than the Croatian poverty line. Material deprivation is also worrying - as many as a third of Croatian households are currently finding it very difficult or difficult to make ends meet. No significant progress has been made on housing policy in 2021 either, the report said.
Problems in the areas of legal security of housing, affordability, occupancy, accessibility and access to housing have been further exacerbated by the aftermath of the earthquakes in Zagreb and Sisak-Moslavina County back in 2020, as well as the global coronavirus pandemic. It has been especially emphasised that the at-risk-of-poverty rate is higher for tenants than it is for apartment owners, and almost a quarter of subtenants are at risk of poverty. The trend of burdening the population with housing costs also continued last year.
People in Croatia still have problems with the availability and affordability of adequate heating, as well as the overcrowding of apartments because as many as 36 percent of residents live in apartments which are too small. This data is of additional concern due to the slow recovery of the earthquake-affected areas, but also rising inflation and rising energy prices.
How can we turn the situation with poverty around for the better?
"In these circumstances, last year the National Plan for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion for the period 2021-2027 was adopted, a key policy that should respond to these challenges. However, this plan is quite unambitious and doesn't bring any measures that could turn the situation with poverty around for the better,'' said Tina Djakovic, the coordinator of the Human Rights House in Zagreb.
The measures proposed by the state aren't aimed at a systematic solution to the problem, and there are no new approaches to respond to growing challenges such as energy poverty or poverty of the elderly or social exclusion of people living in isolated areas, refugees and a number of other vulnerable groups and individuals.
Exercising socio-economic rights in the Republic of Croatia is also difficult due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and 2020's earthquakes, said Deputy Ombudsman Tatjana Vlasic, who pointed out during the discussion that most complaints from people to the Ombudsman's Office came from earthquake-affected areas of the country.
She also pointed out that as many as 92 percent of Roma households live below the at-risk-of-poverty level in Croatia, and almost half of them live in isolated settlements that do not have access to electricity and water. She also warned of the situation in Sisak-Moslavina County, where the unavailability of public transport causes significant issues when it comes to accessing health and social services, which especially affects the elderly.
Despite the sheer amount of struggling Croatian households, poverty and homelessness remain taboo topics...
Djordana Barbaric from the MoSt association pointed out that poverty and homelessness as an extreme form of poverty, are still taboo topics that are rarely discussed, and that vulnerable groups and individuals are often left entirely invisible. She stressed the importance of interdepartmental cooperation and a multidisciplinary approach to the problem, because people in poverty or homelessness often find themselves in complex circumstances and need help in the field of social protection, healthcare and in exercising theor right to work and enjoy protection against discrimination.
Olja Druzic Ljubotina from the Study Centre for Social Work at the Faculty of Law at the University of Zagreb, warned about the problem of child poverty and pointed out that children are especially vulnerable because they are dependent on others and are often an invisible group in society. Accessibility to pre-school education remains a problem in Croatia, which is crucial for the prevention of poverty and social exclusion of children. She also pointed out that institutions often don't recognise child poverty as their problem, that is, that different departments should work together to find a solution and be able to act properly and systematically.
Poverty and social exclusion are significantly added to by the lack of availability and the quality of social services, said Valentina Zeljak Bozovic from the Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma Zagreb.
According to their research on the availability of social services, the differences between rural and urban units of local self-government units in the provision of almost all social services have been confirmed, and differences also exist at the regional level. These differences are the most noticeable in the availability of social services for young people, people with disabilities, people with mental health problems, and members of national minorities and refugees.
With Croatian households struggling to make ends meet, inflation continuing and the war in Ukraine continuing to result in various economic issues with supply chains, it's not hard to see how all of the failings of the many systems in this country are failing the most vulnerable in society on a consistent basis.
For more, check out our lifestyle section.
New Round of Talks on Bosnia Electoral Reform in 10 days, Says Čović
ZAGREB, 7 May 2022 - Croatian National Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HNS BiH) president Dragan Čović said on Saturday a new round of talks on electoral reform in BiH would be held in ten days as a result of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's initiative to avert a crisis after the next election in BiH.
Speaking to the press in Mostar, Čović said he spoke with European representatives last night to prepare the new round of electoral reform talks, even though a general election has already been called for October and Bosniak leader Bakir Izetbegović has dismissed the possibility of the initiative succeeding.
Čović said the new round was aimed at once again attempting to change the election law so that "elections can have their point and true democracy."
He said the new round was a result of Plenković's talks this week with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, and Commissioners Johannes Hahn and Paolo Gentiloni, among others.
Plenković has underlined that it is necessary to restore trust between between Bosniaks and Croats in the Federation entity of BiH because without it, it would be difficult to ensure the functioning of the country.
Čović said he expected Bosniak politicians to resist the initiative because they wanted control of the Federation, adding that no one in BiH needed that.
Asked about the HNS BiH's steps for a territorial reorganisation of BiH, he said federalisation would build a European BiH and that they would not give up on that.
He welcomed the efforts by Plenković and Croatian President Zoran Milanović aimed at achieving equality for Croats in BiH and stopping the three-and-a-half-times more numerous Bosniaks from outvoting them in elections.
For more, check out our politics section.
Eurozone Entry Will Mean Additional Improvement of Credit Rating, Says FinMin
ZAGREB, 7 May 2022 - Finance Minister Zdravko Marić said on Saturday he was pleased with Fitch's latest credit rating of Croatia, adding that accession to the eurozone will mean that the rating will additionally improve.
Fitch Ratings yesterday reaffirmed Croatia's investment rating at BBB with a positive outlook, estimating that the recovery of the country's tourism industry will support the economy at a time of slowing exports and that eurozone entry will mitigate financing risks.
Speaking to the press, Marić said citizens, enterprises and the government could be satisfied because the credit rating was maintained.
A very positive assessment, a very welcome report in these circumstances which gives us an incentive to continue all that we are doing, with a very likely positive unfolding of events in the remainder of the year as regards Croatia's credit rating, he said.
Fitch revised down its projection of Croatian growth for 2022 from 4.4% to 3.3%, citing base effects, a sharp slowdown in household consumption as high inflation affects consumer spending, as well as the effects of Russia's aggression on Ukraine.
Marić said that was understandable given that about ten days ago the government revised down its GDP growth forecast for this year to 3%.
In the fiscal part, Fitch's report is in line with the government's efforts, achievements and projections, the minister said, underlining that last year the deficit was reduced much more than expected and that this trend would continue this and in the years ahead.
As for potential risks for the rating's trend, Fitch mentioned an increase of the government debt and a significant delay in Croatia's eurozone accession.
"I'm deeply confident that none of that will happen. Actually, I'm sure of that," said Marić.
He recalled that since 2016, the public debt-to-GDP ratio has been decreasing every year except in 2020. "That's one of the basic characteristics and traits of this government's fiscal policy and it will continue."
Speaking of Croatia's eurozone journey, Marić said convergence reports by the European Central Bank and the European Commission were expected early next month. He also mentioned the Maastricht criteria - exchange rate, price and interest rate stability, budget deficit and government debt.
Marić said the deficit and the government debt were the fiscal indicators which opened the prospect of introducing the euro to the greatest extent. "If we hadn't consolidated public finance and done all that we have... we would have waited much longer."
Inflation in April expected to accelerate further
Speaking of inflation, Marić said the data for April would likely show an additional acceleration of the average price rise rate, but without a significant deviation from the average.
In March, inflation in Croatia went up 7.3% and the government has forecast its growth for this year at 7.8%.
Under the Maastricht criteria, Croatia's inflation over the past year should not exceed 1.5 percentage points in relation to the average inflation in three EU member states with the lowest inflation.
Marić said there were clear signals that the lower inflation rates in some member states, for example Greece, would be treated as deviation variables and that Croatia would meet this criterion, too.
He reiterated that Croatia planned to enter the eurozone on 1 January 2023 and that the final decision was expected by the first half of July this year.
At the moment, the introduction of the euro has a virtually negligible impact on inflation, he said, reiterating that in the last seven states which introduced the euro, the inflationary effect in the first year was between 0.2 and 0.4 pp on average.
Reforms as prerequisite for tax relief
Marić was also asked about a reform package proposed by the Croatian Employers Association which is aimed at raising the net pay and includes raising the non-taxable income and reducing pension and healthcare contributions as well as income tax.
In order to further reduce the tax burden on labour, it is necessary to create the prerequisites by reforming the pension system and especially healthcare, he said, adding that the basic intention of the government's tak reform has been to reduce the tax burden on labour and profit.
For more, check out our politics section.
Foreign Ministry Confirms Croatian National Taken Prisoner in Ukraine
ZAGREB, 7 May 2022 - The Croatian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that a Croatian national was taken prisoner in Ukraine and that it was working on solving the case in cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities.
The ministry said that due to the delicate situation, it could not divulge more details at the moment.
Russian media said a "Croatian mercenary" was taken prisoner in Mariupol.
N1 television reported that a Croatian national told Russian RT television that he had been a soldier in a Ukrainian marine brigade which was hiding in Mariupol and that the Russians took him and several other fighters prisoner as they attempted to flee the city under siege.
RT showed a photo in which he is sitting in a room at an unknown location.
"We were leaving Mariupol, walking 260 kilometres by night, hiding, avoiding every possible contact. But our plan failed when we ran into a Russian artillery unit. We had to surrender," he said, according to N1.
According to the Russian portal pikabu, the Croatian national said he had heard that Ukrainian paramilitaries did "terrible things to civilians, to prisoners" and that among them were "many criminals, drug addicts."
"They probably even shot at us sometimes," he told the portal.
For more, check out our politics section.
FinMin Says Still No Solution For Brodosplit Shipyard
ZAGREB, 7 May 2022 - Finance Minister Zdravko Marić on Saturday denied Brodosplit CEO Tomislav Debeljak's statement that a solution had been found for the shipyard, saying talks are under way and that the situation is very complex.
"Unfortunately... no agreement has been reached," Marić told the press.
He said the Brodosplit situation became even more complex in the past few weeks due to the opening of pre-bankruptcy proceedings. They imply an additional procedural as well as "temporal component" regarding the approval and regime of state aid, he added.
Also, he said, the Finance Ministry has been analysing the technical, legal and financial justification of a protested guarantee request.
Our talks and cooperation with the HBOR (Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development) are in line with that, Marić said, regretting that "such conclusions have been made" based on "certain talks, questions asked and answers given."
He would not say if the situation was closer or farther from an agreement being reached, saying it is still not clear if the business model in question is viable.
Marić said the HBOR had a very responsible approach to its job and that he was sorry it was exposed to "such pressure" only for showing good will.
Earlier today, Debeljak told N1 television that a meeting was held at the HBOR two days ago, that a solution had been found and that Brodosplit's problem would be solved in three months.
Late in March, the shipyard said €60 million from loans given by the Russian-owned VTB Europe bank it was using to finance the building of two ships had been blocked. The bank is subject to restrictions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Brodosplit asked the government to support a proposal that the loans be rescheduled with HBOR funds. One loan would be repaid by the end of the year and the other over a longer period of time, which would allow the shipyard to operate normally.
Earlier this week, Debeljak filed a second pre-bankruptcy motion for Brodosplit after the first one was dismissed due to procedural error.
According to unofficial reports, HBOR is willing to lend the money to Brodosplit pending a government decision.
For more, check out our business section.
Walk For Life and Counter-Demo Saturday For Freedom Held in Varaždin
ZAGREB, 7 May 2022 - Two civil society demonstrations were held in the northern city of Varaždin on Saturday - a Walk for Life and a counter-demonstration called Saturday for Freedom.
At the same time, a Walk for Life was also held in the eastern cities of Vinkovci and Slavonski Brod, and the head of the In the Name of Family NGO, Željka Markić, joined the Varaždin march.
"I think it is important that we convey the message that it has been scientifically confirmed that human life begins at conception, that an unborn child's heart starts beating on the 18th day, that a child in the womb feels pain, smiles and swallows. These are all important scientific facts," Markić said. "We should build a society of tolerance and life," she added.
Silvija Svoren, coordinator of the Walk for Life in Varaždin, said that they support life from birth to natural death. "That means that we are always for life. That is our focus. We fight for the unborn child and its mother, for the family."
The Saturday for Freedom gathering was organised by the local youth association V.U.K., whose president Lea Labaš said they had gathered to protect women's and human rights.
"We believe that every woman has the right to her own body and the right to choose," Labaš said. "We, of course, must also think about the future because some of us may find themselves in that awful situation when they will need empathy and we want everyone to be able to exercise this right."
The Walk for Life was joined by Ladislav Ilčić, a Croatian member of the European Parliament, who said that Croatia needs young people and children for economic growth.
"If we want higher pensions, we need young people who will pay into pension funds. If we want personal happiness, children can help a lot in that regard. I think all politicians should support this," Ilčić said.
MP Natalija Martinčević supported the Saturday for Freedom rally, criticising doctors who invoked conscientious objection in the case of Mirela Čavajda, a pregnant woman who has applied for a termination of the pregnancy because of the poor condition of her baby.
"I respect their right to conscientious objection, but in their own time in their own private clinics. When they are paid with government money, they should respect the laws of Croatia," Martinčević said.
Between 500 and 1,000 people are estimated to have participated in the Walk for Life, while the Saturday for Freedom attracted far fewer demonstrators.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.
Where to Watch Croatia’s Upcoming World Cup Games in London
May 7, 2022 - With the 2022 FIFA World Cup coming up in Qatar during the months of November and December, anticipation and excitement is high for Croatia football fans.
To recap, the World Cup starts on 21 November with the final to be played on 18 December. Croatia will play against the following teams:
- Morocco - Wednesday, 23 November
- Canada - Sunday, 27 November
- Belgium - Thursday, 1 December
Many fans are now starting to plan their locations and venues to view the games at, particularly if they choose to view the games in Qatar. Croatia has football fans located all around the world, from the United States and Canada to the United Kingdom - particularly due to the growing Croatian communities in those countries. For those based in London, UK, here's a short list of different pubs and bars that are showing the World Cup this year, and that are in general a great place to hang out, eat and drink, and celebrate Croatia making it to the World Cup for the 6th time.
Bar Kick
The “Home Of Live Sport in Shoreditch”, this basement venue regularly shows every World Cup match in honour of their international clientele, meaning the Croatia games should attract a number of fellow supporters and Croatian viewers alike. Watch the games on their 60- and 80-inch TVs, enjoy their sports menu and daily Happy Hour, and get into the football spirit by playing your own competitive games on their Bonzini table football.
Sports Bar and Grill
As the name suggests, this chain venue is dedicated to showing live sport from every major world football league to rugby, in addition to preparing top quality food such as their legendary burgers and grills. Showing every World Cup match live at the bar, make sure to book a table in advance in order to view Croatia’s game on one of their massive HD screens, with a few friends and a refreshing pint in hand - there is even the option to order your own 5l keg of BrewDog beer for £42.50.
There are six Sports Bars in London, including Victoria, Farringdon, Marylebone, Old Street, Clapham Junction, and Canary Wharf. So no matter where you're located, there should be at least one venue close by or easy to reach.
The Albion
As their website proudly states, live sport is in their DNA. So it’s safe to say that this pub, bar and restaurant is a good pick for watching the World Cup. Located right in the City (a few minutes away from the Blackfriars station), their 5 big screens showing Sky Sports and BT Sports over two floors cover live footage of every international sports tournament from the World Cup to Formula 1 to Tour de France. Book your table in advance to ensure you get the best view when you come to watch Croatia play.
Sudamja 2022: Split Celebrates Patron Saint Sveti Duje
May 7, 2022 - On Saturday, May 7, Split celebrates its City Day, honoring Sveti Duje, Split's patron saint. A look at Sudamja 2022!
A solemn mass began the celebration on the Split waterfront by the Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia, Monsignor Giorgio Lingua, and a procession was held, reports Jutarnji List.
The Minister of Culture and Media, Nina Obuljen Koržinek, and the Minister of the Economy and Sustainable Development, Davor Filipović, participated in the celebration as a delegate of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia.
Numerous visitors from neighboring cities and municipalities and the island came to Split, and tourists also enjoy celebrating the birthday of the over 1,700-year-old city. Everyone agrees on one thing - Split is the most beautiful city to which they wish all the best in the next thousands of years.
The delegate of the Prime Minister, Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek, wished all the citizens of Split a happy day, expressing satisfaction that they can celebrate Sveti Duje again after two pandemic years.
"I believe that Sveti Duje will bring a good season, prosperity and everything we hope for. We are here on the Peristyle, the center of heritage. Split is a city that preserves its heritage, and I am glad that this segment of our common, spiritual church is preserved, and invaluable intangible heritage," stressed Obuljen Koržinek.
Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Davor Filipović told reporters that he was happy to be in Split today, adding that his parents and brother live here and that a good part of his youth and some of the most beautiful moments of his life took place in Split.
"Split is a city of rich tradition and heritage. I congratulate all the Split citizens on their city day and the patron saint Sveti Duje," said Filipović.
Former mayor Ivica Puljak wished his fellow citizens and guests a happy and pleasant holiday. He said that he was sure that Split would soon get a worthy mayor.
In addition to the traditional Fair on the Riva, which features 150 exhibitors from all over Croatia this year, the humanitarian swimming race "With a Heart for Little Heroes" started at 11 am, organized by the city's Public Fire Brigade. Split long-distance swimmer Dina Levačić and Lea Ćaleta, a police officer from the Airport Police Station and associate professor Darko Hren from the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy in Split, swam from Kašjuni to Matejuška. Two necessary devices will be bought for KBC Split from the money collected in this humanitarian action.
After swimming, Dina Levačić said she was glad that Lea and Darko joined her. She noted that they started preparing for the race in the winter when the sea was colder, while today, the sea is 17 degrees.
"I hope we will encourage people to donate to this action because every kuna is welcome here," Levačić said.
A traditional raffle will take place on the Riva at 5:30 pm with the performance of mixed klapa Filip Dević, conducted by Tonči Banov this year, followed by the Tamburitza Orchestra of the Folklore Ensemble Jedinstvo Split with guests from Varaždin - Varaždin Tamburitza Orchestra and Klapa HRM Sveti Juraj.
The concert "Sveti Duje moj" will be held at 9 pm with Klapa Cambi Kaštela, Goran Karan and Grupa Vagabundo. The fireworks start at 11 pm, followed by Teddi Spalato and the Goran Rukavina Orchestra.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.
Croatia Reports 835 New Coronavirus Cases, 7 Deaths
ZAGREB, 7 May 2022 - Croatia has recorded 835 new coronavirus cases and seven COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours, the national coronavirus response team reported on Saturday.
The number of active cases in the country now stands at 5,430, of whom 377 infected persons are being treated in hospital, including 16 placed on ventilators, while 3,039 persons are self-isolating.
Since 25 February 2020, when the first case was confirmed in Croatia, 1,127,336 people have been registered as having contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus, of whom 15,881 have died and 1,106,025 have recovered, including 765 in the last 24 hours.
A total of 4,810,816 people have tested for COVID-19 to date, including 3,265 in the last 24 hours.
By Fridayday, 5,246,531 vaccine doses had been administered, with 59.50 per cent of the total population, or 70.77 per cent of adults, having been vaccinated. A total of 2,313,633 people had received at least one dose and 2,242,438 of them had been fully vaccinated, which is 68.70 per cent of the adult population.
Plenković: Trust Between Bosniaks and Croats in Federation Needs To Be Restored
ZAGREB, 7 May 2022 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Friday it was necessary to restore the trust between Bosniaks and Croats in the Federation entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina because without it, it would be difficult to ensure the functioning of the country which is choosing a new parliament in October in accordance with the old law.
The issue of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina is important to Croatia and it is regrettable that the Bosniak and Croat parties have failed to reach an agreement on the electoral law reform ahead of the 2 October general election despite US and EU mediation, Plenković said at a working dinner held as part of the Global Europe Seminar in Salzburg on Friday.
In the autumn, "institutions will again be elected according to the old law and one constitutional people will not have its legitimate representatives," the prime minister said and added: "That's why we will try to restore the trust between Bosniaks and Croats in the Federation because it will be difficult for the country to function without it."
Earlier this week, the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina called the general election for 2 October even though the election law was not amended to prevent the more numerous Bosniaks from outvoting the Croats and to ensure the election of legitimate representatives of the Croats.
War in Ukraine
Speaking of the war in Ukraine, Plenković said that Russia had largely underestimated Ukraine's resistance, adding that Ukraine should be assisted in different areas and its ambition to get a special status in the EU should be supported.
"Russia has largely underestimated Ukraine, the courage of its people, the heroism of its soldiers and their determination to to fight back," the PM said. "We should support Ukraine's ambition to get a special status in the EU, but we should also support the EU membership ambitions of other countries."
He went on to say that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict have diverted attention from other global crises such as the nuclear threat from North Korea, negotiations with Iran, tensions in the South China Sea, US-China relations, climate change and illegal migration. "Unfortunately, none of these have disappeared."
Plenković said that the situation in the Western Balkans should be monitored closely. "We must not let those issues be overshadowed because they, too, require action."
Noting that "every crisis is, at the same time, an opportunity," the prime minister praised the EU for its COVID-19 response, saying that it was a sign of European solidarity that showed the Union's purpose and mission.
Plenković estimated that it was too early to say whether the EU would manage to resolve the energy crisis in the same way, by showing solidarity, expressing hope that it would.
He mentioned the strategic decision to phase out the EU's dependence on Russian energy sources by taking into account the specific circumstances of each country and creating alternative supply routes and networks. In this context, he emphasised the importance of the LNG terminal on the Croatian island of Krk.
For more, check out our politics section.
