Politics
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
Const. Court Decides High Criminal Court to Start Working on 1 Jan 2021
ZAGREB, Nov 3, 2020 - The Constitutional Court on Tuesday dismissed objections that the High Criminal Court is unconstitutional, ruling that the new court, which should deal with appeals against first-instance county court rulings, will start operating on 1 January 2021. The motion to assess if the High Criminal Court, whose establishment former Justice Minister Drazen Bosnjakovic entrusted to Zagreb County Court president Ivan Turudic, is in line with the Constitution had been submitted by former Social Democrat Justice Minister Orsat Miljenic and his party colleague, MP Pedja Grbin. The Constitutional Court does not believe that the establishment of the High Criminal Court…
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
SDP Leader Says Lockdown Can Only be Avoided with Systematic Strategy
ZAGREB, Nov 3, 2020 - Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Pedja Grbin said in parliament on Tuesday that the only way to avoid a lockdown in Croatia is with a systematic strategy, which the country does not have. "We cannot avoid it spontaneously but with a systematic strategy, a model that will have checkpoints, transition times, a model that foresees how the situation will develop and an implementable operational programme...Is the government prepared to adopt and implement such a programme?" Grbin asked during Question Time in the Sabor. He believes that Croatia does not need a new lockdown as that would…
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
PM on Dubrava Hospital: It's Necessary to Distinguish Images on Internet and Reality
ZAGREB, Nov 3, 2020 - During Question Time in the Sabor on Tuesday, referring to the situation at the Dubrava Hospital, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that he believes in the quality, expertise and professionalism at the hospital and that it is necessary to differentiate between the picture on the Internet and the real situation. "I believe in the quality, expertise and professionalism of all the staff at KB Dubrava and in the decisions that will enable the hospital's efficient functioning and quality health care," Plenkovic said responding to a question by MP Mirela Ahmetovic (SDP) who claimed that the hospital was in chaos,…
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
Grlic Radman: Croatia Always has Good Relations with USA
ZAGREB, Nov 3, 2020 - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Tuesday that it was up to the American people to decide who they want for their next president adding that Croatia has always had good relations with the US Administration regardless of who has been at the helm of the country. Croatia is waiting for the US presidential results but it is a matter of the American people's choice, he added. "We welcome the democratic right to elect the president they want. Those elections will show the will and desire of American voters," Grlic Radman told reporters in…
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
Croatian Parliament Starts New Session in Line with Anti-COVID Measures
ZAGREB, Nov 3, 2020 - The Croatian Parliamentstarted its new, 4th session on Tuesday adhering to special epidemiological measures. At the beginning of Question Time, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic asked lawmakers to be responsible and show solidarity to each other so that they can do their job properly. Due to measures of protection against coronavirus, some deputies will sit in the Grand Chamber while others will be dispersed in five other meeting rooms. Also, those who are coronavirus positive or in self-isolation will participate in debates via video-link. In an effort to minimise the possibility of the infection spreading, the parliament will have…
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
Plenkovic: No Room for Panic while Fighting Coronavirus
ZAGREB, Nov 3, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday that there was no room for panic during the struggle to limit the spread of coronavirus. In his interview for the national broadcaster HTV, Plenkovic also commented on the criticism levelled by President Zoran Milanovic against his cabinet and its actions to contain the spread of the epidemic. "There are people who make serious efforts in the struggle against coronavirus and there are those who compare the virus with tooth decay or claim that handshaking is o.k. and that one should not wear a protective mask. Such statements carry…
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
Croatia Condemns Terrorist Attack in Vienna
ZAGREB, Nov 3, 2020 - Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Monday evening condemned the terrorist attack in Vienna, and expressed solidarity with the Austrian people after multiple shootings in the first district in the Austrian capital. "Croatia stands by you at these these difficult moments," the Croatian premier wrote on his Twitter account. Croatia's Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic Radman also condemned the terrorist attacks as an act of violence and hatred. During the multiple shootings in the centre of Vienna, at least four people, including a perpetrator, were killed, the local police stated. Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer…
Monday, 2 November 2020
President Says Would Support Possible Lockdown but Not Curfew
ZAGREB, November 2, 2020 - President Zoran Milanovic said on Monday that he would support a possible lockdown to help in efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus, but he would oppose a curfew, explaining that Croatia is not in a state of war but in an emergency situation. "I will be the first one to back a lockdown but not a curfew," Milanovic said, adding that he was against a curfew and against situations where people, who, for instance, walk their dogs after 8 p.m., have to explain why they are outside. Addressing reporters after a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Social…
Monday, 2 November 2020
Minister Says Bosnia's Election Law Detrimental to Croats, Should Be Changed
ZAGREB, November 2, 2020 - Croatia's Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic Radman has called on political representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina's three main ethnic groups to change the country's election law, claiming that its current provisions are detrimental to local Croats. Grlic Radman made the statement during a visit to Mostar on Monday, noting that current election legislation made it possible to impose political representatives on local Croats. "Bosnia and Herzegovina's future depends on an agreement between Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks. Their leaders should reach agreement on the country's future, and here we have an election law that is…
Monday, 2 November 2020
SDP Chief Calls for Finding Model to Remove Octopus of Corruption in Zagreb
ZAGREB, November 2, 2020 - Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Pedja Grbin said on Monday that it was necessary to find a formula that will removeoctopus of corruption in (the City) of Zagreb adding however, that it is too early to say who SDP's candidate for Zagreb mayor will be. "It is necessary to take a step forward in the City of Zagreb and that means to find a political option that can remove the octopus of corruption from Zagreb which is pushing the city backwards," said Grbin. He added that Zagreb is not developing but stagnating and that it…
Monday, 2 November 2020
SDP Marks 30th Anniversary
ZAGREB, November 2, 2020 - The Social Democratic Party presidency on Monday held a special session on the occasion of the party's 30th anniversary, with SDP leader Pedja Grbin saying that considering growing inequality, intolerance and lack of freedom, social democracy and a strong SDP were necessary more than ever. "This may be so even more than it was 30 years ago," he said in an address to those present at the event. "We need a progressive SDP that offers solutions to growing inequality, regarding the social system and housing, health and education, sustainable development and the green economy," he said. He admitted…
