ZAGREB, June 13, 2020 - A coalition comprising the Pametno, Fokus, Zagreb Independent Slate and Kvarner Union parties on Saturday presented its election platform which says that it is possible to cut taxes and keep a welfare state which would be wealthy and harmonious.
Pametno presidency member Ivica Puljak said emigration and lagging behind Eastern European and neighbouring countries were among Croatia's biggest problems.
"We have almost the same number of workers and pensioners, which is completely untenable for any economy."
He said Croatia was in such a poor state because irresponsible politicians and policies constantly kept them in the past.
Croatia must activate its innovative and creative enterprise potential as it is second to last in EU innovation rankings, he said.
Puljak said education reform was a top priority, that it should be returned to the right track and that it was imperative to raise the social status of all working in education.
Fokus president Davor Nadji said it was necessary to attract investors to Croatia by cutting income tax from the current 24% and 36% to 10% as well as profit tax from 12% and 18% to 10%.
He said highly paid jobs would result in higher pension and health insurance contributions, which would stabilise the two systems.
The coalition is for revoking 90% of parafiscal levies, downsizing the administration system by 10%, reducing the number of local government units, and merging utility companies, which they say would result in big savings and slash the number of politicians by 60-80%.