Politics

ZAGREB, March 29, 2020 - Restricting human rights is out of the question, people are increasingly aware that the current situation is an emergency and extreme situation, which is why measures by the national civil protection authority are extreme, Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović said on Sunday. "The institutions of this state, the government and the parliament, are functioning. The national civil protection authority is adopting decisions in line with epidemiologists' recommendations and they have to be implemented at the level of local civil protection authorities," Božinović, who heads the national civil protection team, said when asked to comment…

ZAGREB, March 28, 2020 - President Zoran Milanović said on Saturday that the state should send a clear message to those affected the most financially by the coronavirus epidemic and guarantee at least the minimum wage for all those who have lost their jobs. "It is important that those who are economically the most affected... very soon receive a clear message - 'We are here for you'. Because people who are laying off workers, closing down their businesses... need a clear message that the state will help them. Well-intentioned promises are not enough," Milanović told reporters after visiting Zagreb's School…

ZAGREB, March 28, 2020 - Ombudswoman Lora Vidovic believes human rights and freedoms must be restricted to protect people's health in the current epidemic, the House of Human Rights says the restrictions must pass the test of proportionality, while GONG says that democracy must not be forgotten despite the current situation. Over the past few weeks, the national civil protection team has adopted a number of restrictive decisions with the aim of curbing the spread of the coronavirus, including a ban on the work of restaurants and bars and public gatherings and on leaving one's place of residence. Human rights…

ZAGREB, March 28, 2020 - Commenting on the possibility of declaring a state of emergency over the outbreak of the coronavirus, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said on Friday that the parliament would do it if necessary, but that currently other constitutional provisions enabled normal work. Asked if the government would accept the Opposition's amendments to a bill on the electronic tracking of persons in self-isolation, Jandroković said that he believed the law should not be passed by a two-thirds majority. The purpose of the law is not to abolish freedoms or curtail democracy, but rather to prevent the spreading of…

ZAGREB, March 27, 2020 - Croatia has 16 helicopters that can help in the fight against the coronavirus if necessary, Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said after visiting a medical camp set up outside Zagreb's KB Dubrava hospital on Friday. A few days ago, helicopters were tested for landing, the minister said, noting that everything was ready to employ the helicopters if necessary. As regards members of the 11th Croatian contingent whose repatriation from Afghanistan was delayed due to the situation with the coronavirus, Krstičević said that they would arrive in Croatia late in the evening aboard a Croatia Airlines plane…

ZAGREB, March 27, 2020 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has talked with his Chinese counterpart Li Kequiang about the procurement of medical equipment to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Plenković said on Twitter on Friday that he and Li also discussed a Chinese donation of equipment, adding that "#EU2020 and China are also discussing cooperation at the level of the health ministries." We agreed that the cooperation is good, Plenković wrote. One of the world's largest producers of medical and protective equipment, China is faced with increased orders from numerous countries affected by the pandemic, which started in China at…

ZAGREB, March 27, 2020 - Interior Minister Davor Božinović said on Friday that as long as the growth of COVID-19 infections was linear, the national civil protection authority would alleviate restrictions so that Croatia could function as much and as optimally as possible in the current extraordinary circumstances. "Our growth is linear, which indicates that citizens are complying with instructions," he said at a press conference of the national civil protection authority. Specialised shops which are part of farmers' markets will be allowed to reopen so citizens have more shopping options and to help Croatia's agriculture, the minister said, adding…

ZAGREB, March 27, 2020 - Prisoners in Split's Bilice prison have started a strike, refusing to eat prison food out of fear that COVID-19 could enter the prison, and Justice Minister Dražen Bošnjaković called on them on Thursday to end the strike. "Someone has told them that detainees under investigation are innocent under the Constitution and should be released," Bošnjaković said. He explained that they are innocent until proven guilty, but under the law "they have to be isolated during the investigation." He said that care was being taken within the system to maintain hygiene and to reduce risks, adding…

ZAGREB, March 27, 2020 - The European Union has drawn up an investment plan worth €37 billion in response to the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, of which €1.16 billion is earmarked for Croatia, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said Thursday. The coronavirus crisis "requires the responsibility and unity of the European Union. The European Commission's investment plan has secured €37 billion, of which Croatia will receive €1.16 billion. The priority is to preserve health and jobs," according to a tweet posted by Plenković, who is taking part in a video conference of EU leaders. The main topic discussed…

ZAGREB, March 26, 2020 - Croatia will repatriate its troops who have completed their tour of duty in Afghanistan as part of NATO's Resolute Support peace mission and whose return was temporarily delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The government decided on Thursday that the Croatian personnel would be flown back by a Croatia Airlines plane. The repatriation of the 11th Croatian contingent from Afghanistan was scheduled for 27 March. A total of 140 troops are returning from Afghanistan, including 105 Croatians and 35 soldiers from allied partner countries (Montenegro - 26, North Macedonia - 7, and Albania - 2).…