Politics

ZAGREB, June 19, 2020 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Friday that the billions of euros intended for Croatia in the EU's plan for recovery from the coronavirus crisis were not in question despite objections from some member-countries to the €750 billion plan. At a virtual meeting to be held on Friday, EU leaders will discuss for the first time the Next Generation EU recovery plan and a proposal for the new seven-year budget, worth 1,850 billion euros in total. The value of the recovery plan of €750 billion, proposed by the European Commission, is opposed by the…

ZAGREB, June 19, 2020 - Former president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic has joined women who have shown their middle finger at statements about abortion made by Homeland Movement leader Miroslav Skoro and some other politicians, making an off the photo of herself with her middle finger extended. "I am joining all women who with this 'indecent' act are showing their stand and raising their voice against those who are trying to take us centuries back," Grabar-Kitarovic told the Jutarnji List daily, to which she sent her photo. The former president said the time was gone when men made decisions for women. "I…

ZAGREB, June 18, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Minister of Labour and Pension System Josip Aladrovic on Thursday presented the first 106 grant agreements for the second phase of a women's employment scheme, with women providing care for the elderly and disabled. "We've created an instrument to return more mature women living in rural areas to the labour market as well as engaging local government and NGOs in providing care for the elderly," Plenkovic said.  The project is being financed with a grant from the European Social Fund (ESF) and it helps include target groups in the labour market for a period of 12 months. The total value of…

ZAGREB, June 18, 2020 - The Croatian government on Thursday amended the HAMAG-BICRO agency's schemes for loans for working capital for businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis and ESIF guarantees, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic saying that this would enable the granting of further loans to entrepreneurs. Plenkovic told a government session that businesses had made good use of loans intended to help businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis and that so far 5,128 requests worth HRK 343 million had been submitted by 900 businesses. This is an important government measure that makes it possible to keep jobs, said Plenkovic, noting that the amendment…

ZAGREB, June 18, 2020 - The government on Thursday adopted a conclusion that expresses its readiness to join in the process of issuing state guarantees the Brodotrogir Cruise, Uljanik Brodogradnja 1856 and MKM Yachts shipyards. "The signal we are sending today is our determination for Croatia's shipbuilding to continue functioning (...) and that we wish to continue supporting shipbuilding on healthy foundations," Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said. Economy Minister Darko Horvat recalled that the ministry had received a request from Brodotrogir Cruise for a state guarantee to ensure advance payments for two passenger polar cruise ships for two American clients. The total value of each ship is €39 million,…

ZAGREB, June 18, 2020 - The SSSH union federation on Thursday called on political parties to clearly articulate during the election campaign how they intended to ensure a social recovery, generate wage increases and improve living standards and how they would make good on their promises if they came to power. More secure jobs, a higher minimum wage, a fair tax policy, strengthening public health and administration are some of the issues the unions want to hear during electioneering, SSSH leaders told a press conference. "These are the demands we will put before the future government in order to change the direction in…

ZAGREB, June 18, 2020 - Homeland Movement leader Miroslav Skoro said on Thursday it was not fair to twist his statements and take them out of context, referring to reactions to his statement that if a raped woman gets pregnant, she should agree with her family what to do. "I know very well what I said. I'm a pro-lifer, I believe that life begins with conception and that it should be protected until natural death. It's not fair or right to twist someone's statements, take them out of context, and I don't think it's right to build an election campaign…

ZAGREB, June 18, 2020 - Science and Education Minister Blazenka Divjak said on Thursday she was appalled by the statements by Homeland Movement leader Miroslav Skoro and Bridge's election candidate Nino Raspudic about abortion. "I am appalled by the recent discussions and statements by Mr. Skoro and Mr. Raspudic. Quite clearly, this is the sadistic humiliation of women and their rights and the unacceptable exploitation of painful personal traumas for political purposes," Divjak said in a Facebook post. She commented on Skoro's statement made during an election debate with the secretary-general of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Gordan Jandrokovic, that…

ZAGREB, June 17, 2020 - The fight against corruption and clientelism, boosting the economy and a better education system are the key points of the "Croatia is awakening" platform presented by the Bridge party for the July 5 election. Our platform is a realistic framework unlike those of others who are offering fairy tales and promises and offending the people's intelligence. We are offering something that can be achieved and that Croatia needs - a decent life for every citizen and a just system, Bridge leader Bozo Petrov said presenting the party's platform. Chief State Prosecutor should be appointed by a two-thirds…

ZAGREB, June 17, 2020 - Health Minister Vili Beros on Wednesday said that the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) election platform contained a solution that would enable the health system to become financially sustainable, noting that currently, it was neither sustainable nor good, particularly for patients. "At the start of my term in office, I said that the health system was not in the best financial situation and that we have to define solutions that will enable it to be financially sustainable. The HDZ's election platform provides solutions that will regulate more adequately the health system's financial operations because now it is neither sustainable nor good, particularly for patients,"…