ZAGREB, 16 Feb 2022 - MPs on Wednesday criticised Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Peđa Grbin after it transpired that he and his party colleague Arsen Bauk had used the most benefits as MPs.
"Everyone answers for themselves but how can Grbin claim that he can run the country if he can't say where he lives," said Stephen Nikola Bartulica of the Homeland Movement after Grbin said that by using his living away from home allowance (LAFHA), he had not violated any law.
"In principle, politicians in Croatia are divorced from reality, they live in a parallel world", said Bartulica.
Marijan Pavliček of the Croatian Sovereignists said it was sad that some manipulated the living away from home allowance.
"You cannot live in both Pula and Zagreb, have your family both in Pula and in Zagreb," Pavliček said, adding that he was willing to be the first to give up his LAFHA if all MPs would do the same.
Romana Nikolić, a former SDP MP and now a member of the Social Democrats, too, criticised Grbin, noting that such conduct was why citizens did not trust politicians.
MPs who live outside Zagreb should be compensated for rent, travel expenses
"If you have relocated, there should be no allowance for living away from home," said Sandra Benčić of We Can!.
"MPs who live outside of Zagreb and come to Zagreb to attend sessions of the parliament three to four days a week should receive allowances of between HRK 2,000 and 2,500 for rent", she said.
"Those whose families live in other cities should be compensated only for the actual costs incurred, such as travel expenses", she said.
"The purpose of allowances is not for someone to earn additional income," she stressed.
Anka Mrak Taritaš of the GLAS party said that MPs living outside of Zagreb should have their rent and travel expenses covered by the state, and she considers the allowance for living away from home unnecessary.
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