Politics

ZAGREB, April 10, 2020 - President Zoran Milanović said on Thursday that the law on electronic communications, which would legalise a large-scale tracking of citizens' mobile phones in the fight against the coronavirus, should be passed by a two-thirds majority. "I don't know who can wholeheartedly support such a measure at all. I would expect those who propose it to cry from the top of their lungs that we will all die if that law and those amendments are not adopted as soon as possible. But no, we are seeing a dogged determination to secure a second reading, I guess…

ZAGREB, April 9, 2020 - The Muslim World League has donated US$300,000 to the Croatian government for combating the coronavirus pandemic, and has also donated funds to the Islamic community in Zagreb for the repair of the damage caused by the March 22 earthquake, the governing body of the Islamic community in Croatia said in a statement on Thursday. The deputy prime minister and head of the national civil protection authority, Davor Božinović, thanked the Muslim World League on behalf of the government and Mufti Aziz Hasangović thanked the organisation on behalf of the Islamic community in Croatia, the statement…

ZAGREB, April 9, 2020 - The Croatian Army will give support to the Health Ministry's crisis management team by providing Croatian Air Force's helicopters, which will be adapted to transport patients infected with the coronavirus, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday. The crisis management team has had an adapted Mi-171 helicopter at its disposal since Wednesday, and it has been planned that another Mi-171Sh helicopter will be adapted for the purpose of transport of COVID-19 patients. Since the Croatian Armed Forces do not possess specialised equipment or helicopters suited for transporting patients infected with or suspected to have COVID-19, the…

As Adriano Milovan/Novac writes on the 8th of April, 2020, rather surprisingly, the Republic of Croatia is among the more resilient countries and economies in terms of risks and shocks, the research of insurance company FM Global shows. Could Croatian EU membership also help it to emerge from various forms of crisis more easily? According to the survey, which included 130 countries worldwide, the Croatian economy ranked 37th in the world in terms of resistance to shocks. According to the calculations of FM Global experts, Croatia is even better ranked than Slovenia, which is ranked 42nd in terms of economic…

ZAGREB, April 9, 2020 - A summit of EU member states and Western Balkan countries scheduled for May 6-7 in Zagreb will most likely be held via video link at an appropriate time, Croatian government spokesman Marko Milić told Hina on Wednesday. He said the summit would not take place on those days because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković as the chairman of the Council of the EU, European Council President Charles Michel and other partners are consulting about the possibility of holding a video conference at the most suitable time, Milić said. The summit was…

ZAGREB, April 9, 2020 - The spokesman of the Bishops' Conference of Croatia (HBK) said on Wednesday that the bishops' decision not to celebrate Mass in churches with the faithful due to the coronavirus pandemic stemmed from the feeling of co-responsibility for the protection of life at all of its stages. At the National Civil Protection Authority's press conference, the HBK spokesman Zvonimir Ančić noted that Holy Triduum would start on Thursday evening, describing it as the most solemn part of the liturgical year when Christians remember the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "This year, we are aware…

ZAGREB, April 8, 2020 - President Zoran Milanović on Wednesday extended greetings to Jewish believers on the occasion of Passover, saying its symbolism is a lasting inspiration to all of humankind, notably today when so much solidarity is needed. "Passover is a holiday which reminds us of the value of the freedom of every man and people as well as the right to peace and progress. In such an environment, everyone can contribute to their personal and general development, mutual understanding and respect among people," the president said in his message. "The symbolism of Passover is a lasting inspiration to…

ZAGREB, April 8, 2020 - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman on Wednesday announced that about 100 more Croatian citizens are returning home on Thursday from Tyrol, Austria. "Tomorrow evening we expect the continuation of repatriation and the arrival of four busses with about 90 to 100 Croatian citizens from Tyrol," Grlić Radman said. He said that they were mostly seasonal workers "who in the midst of the pandemic have been left without jobs as well as all those who stayed after the winter season ended." Tyrol has closed all ski resorts and hotels in an effort to…

April 8, 2020 - Every two weeks, Dario Jurican will teach us the tricks of stealing in Croatia in his new YouTube series titled 'Idemo Krast!' The king of exposing Croatian corruption released the first episode today, featuring Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic. 24 Sata reports that the 2019 presidential candidate, who is famous for changing his name to that of the Zagreb mayor, chose none other than Milan Bandic to be the star of his first episode, which was posted on YouTube on Tuesday called #Bundekfest. Namely, Jurican has released the first episode of his new series ‘Idemo Krast’ or ‘Let’s…

ZAGREB, April 7, 2020 - Parliament on Tuesday sent a bill o amendments to the law on electronic communication to a second reading, which would legalise broader surveillance of citizens' mobile phones as a measure in the fight against coronavirus. Initially the bill was to go on fast track, however following a lot of criticism from opposition parties that it would lead to a violation of human rights and that the amendments were too general, the bill was put to regular parliamentary procedure. The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) caucus proposed that the bill be sent to second reading in order…