ZAGREB, August 30, 2019 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Thursday he met with Independent Democratic Serb Party president Milorad Pupovac, that he understood his concern about recent attacks on Serbs, that he expected the perpetrators to be punished, and that there was no climate of intolerance towards ethnic minorities in Croatia.

"We met and we talked," Plenković told reporters in Varazdin, adding that Pupovac "expressed his concern about these incidents, and I understand him as he is a representative of the Serb minority."

Plenković reiterated that it was his choice that ethnic minorities should be part of the parliamentary majority and that he stood by it.

He also commended on the State Prosecutor's Office's request that former minister and incumbent MP Lovro Kuščević be stripped of immunity from prosecution, saying the police and the State Prosecutor's Office were in charge of that and that the request was usual procedure.

A routine response from the parliamentary committee is ahead of us and then we'll see what happens, he said.

Plenković said he had not spoken with Kuščević, a member of his HDZ party, but "I will if it's necessary." He added that he saw no problem in Kuščević's comment on the request that he be stripped of immunity and that it was too early to draw any conclusions.

More political news can be found in the dedicated section.

ZAGREB, August 29, 2019 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Thursday stated that the protection of the rights of the Serb minority in Croatia was regulated according to the highest European standards and that the government remained committed to developing a tolerant and conflict-free social climate.

Plenković said at a cabinet meeting that the protection of minority rights in line with the highest standards is the legacy of the first Croatian president Franjo Tuđman.

Hence, he added, it is important that everyone in Croatia acts responsibly and all are supposed to "create an atmosphere that is tolerant and conflict-free", otherwise, if not curbed, conflicts can turn into a spiral of hate.

He reiterated that his cabinet and the parliamentary majority are pursuing a policy of inclusiveness of all ethnic minorities and of protection of their rights and they want all members of ethnic minorities in Croatia to feel well and safe.

Plenković reiterated that the government had condemned recent incidents and also called on political stakeholders to avoid inappropriate and inconsiderate statements.

Plenković recalled that Croatia is a reputable country in the international community and its position has never been so strong as nowadays.

"Our policy is aimed at building normal and good-neighbourly relations, resolution of all issues stemming from the period of the Great Serbia aggression launched by the (Slobodan) Milošević regime, and we are for solving those issues in a civilised manner: through dialogue, talks, negotiations," Plenković said, dismissing again as unacceptable any attempts to compare the contemporary Croatia to the 1941-1945 Independent State of Croatia (NDH).

More politics news can be found in the dedicated section.

ZAGREB, August 29, 2019 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Wednesday visited the eastern Croatian town of Županja and on that occasion he said that 10.7 billion kuna (€1.45 billion) had been engaged through the Slavonia project in the last three years.

Plenković recalled that three years ago, his cabinet had decided during a meeting in the biggest eastern city of Osijek to invest more efforts to help the five Slavonia counties to boost their development.

"In less than three years, we have engaged 10.7 billion kuna through the project," Plenković said adding that the region would remain a priority for his cabinet.

During Plenković's stay in Županja, his cabinet and the local authorities signed two grant deeds transferring ownership over land to the town for the construction of accommodation facilities and a local sports centre.

A meeting of the government's advisory committee for Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem would be held in Orahovica on September 3.

"Our aim is for people to remain in this area, demographic revival, opening new jobs and support to agricultural and rural development," Plenković said earlier in the day.

Plenković recalled that systematic and permanent contact with the five Slavonian counties "is a clear reflection of a 2016 analysis when it was concluded that Croatia's east needed the Slavonia Project".

More Slavonia news can be found in the Politics section.

ZAGREB, August 28, 2019 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Tuesday labelled as inappropriate and unacceptable the statements by Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) leader Milorad Pupovac that Croatia had become a factor of instability in the region because it promoted intolerance and attempted to rehabilitate Ustashim, calling on him not to contribute to the polarisation of society.

"We consider it extremely inappropriate, even unacceptable, the statements by our coalition partner that would point to the conclusion that Croatia is a factor of instability in Southeast Europe and that present-day Croatia should be compared with the NDH (WWII Nazi-styled Independent State of Croatia) regime. We consider that to be absolutely untrue and this should be said clearly and I resolutely reject that," Plenković told reporters after a meeting of the leadership of the ruling HDZ party.

He again strongly condemned last weeks’ attacks on Serbs and said he expected the police to prosecute the perpetrators. He added that the policy of the government and the HDZ was to create a country in which all minorities felt good and safe, including the Serb minority.

"I don't accept and resolutely reject arguments which suggest that there is a climate in Croatia which incites intolerance towards minorities, for which our government and policy is least responsible. Everything we have been doing for the past three years has been aimed at reducing polarisation in society, at including minorities both in the parliamentary majority and, especially, in operational programmes for minorities, at reducing tensions, at dialogue, communication, building good neighbouring relations."

Plenković said he wanted the political parties that fomented polarisation to be clearly identified, saying the ruling HDZ was certainly not one of them and that those wanting polarisation and conflicts were actually fighting against the government. "We are against any exclusion."

Plenković said he expected Pupovac not to contribute to the polarisation of society. "Everyone who is responsible in Croatia and discharges key political duties, notably as part of the parliamentary majority, should contribute to reducing tensions."

"I want the negative spiral that has begun in the past few days to end. As the government and the strongest party in the parliamentary majority, we must say: Enough with the spiral of hatred."

Plenković said a polarisation of society occurred in 2015-16, boiling down to "us or them", and that he had insisted that ethnic minorities and their representatives be part of the parliamentary majority.

"Where is the problem in us as the government and the HDZ as the strongest party extending a hand to all minorities in Croatia? I reject arguments that we are responsible for the climate (in society)," he said, adding that last week's attacks were committed by individuals who would be brought to justice.

Plenković said he would talk with Pupovac and that, at the meeting, the HDZ did not discuss the possibility of dissolving the coalition with the SDSS.

More HDZ news can be found in the Politics section.

ZAGREB, August 19, 2019 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who on Sunday visited the Istrian town of Barban, said that many projects in the tourist trade and infrastructure in Istria were nearing completion and that all ministries were engaged in their implementation.

"Therefore, claiming that Istria is discriminated against is both factually incorrect and indecent," the premier said in his response to questions from the press regarding Pula Mayor Boris Miletić's claim that this Croatian region was being discriminated against when it comes to the issue of the debt-ridden Uljanik dock.

As for the future of the ailing Uljanik company, the premier said that he was always open to dialogue.

He recalled that the government had paid 4.5 billion kuna for the guarantees of Uljanik.

The situation is such that Uljanik is in official receivership, and when it comes to the 3.Maj shipyard, I think that we have found a solution for completing the ships under construction in a "financially neutral manner", and for steps to be made towards the restructuring. In that process Uljanik can participate, he added.

The premier also reassured the press that his cabinet would find a solution for the completion of the construction of the general hospital in the biggest Istrian city of Pula.

"We are holding talks and we are going to find a solution as we have found a solution for the hospital in Rijeka."

"The hospital in Pula is important an we will settle that. The policy of our government is to develop good, sincere and open partnership and dialogue with all counties, cities and municipalities. All know that," Plenković said before attending the Prstenac tournament's final race on Sunday evening.

More news about Istria can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, August 16, 2019 - In his comments on some of lawmakers changing the party allegiance, Prime Minister and Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Andrej Plenković said on Friday that one should care about who is put on election slates of parties.

During his visit to the island of Hvar, Plenković was asked by the press about the recent cases examples of former Social Democrats – Milanka Opačić and Siniša Varga ؘ– who joined the Labour and Solidarity Party of Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić.

In this context he called for being more careful about the choice of slate candidates.

As for a former SDP leader Zoran Milanovic's comment that Opačić and Varga, who used to be ministers in his cabinet, should renounce their parliamentary seats now when they crossed the floor, and give back the mandates to the SDP, Plenković said that terms of parliamentary deputies are "inalienable and irrevocable".

The statement made by Plenković on Thursday that President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović could have announced her decision to run for a second term somewhere else and not in the Hrvatski Tjednik (HT) newspaper prompted the press to comment that Plenković himself had given an interview with that newspaper three years ago.

He just countered with the question to the press whether there was any contentious in his interview.

Plenković reiterated then that the president must move forward with her campaigning with the support of the HDZ.

More political news can be found in the Politics section.

ZAGREB, August 7, 2019 - Prime Minister and Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Andrej Plenković said on Wednesday that his predecessor at the HDZ helm, Tomislav Karamarko, who has recently said that he is thinking of his new candidacy for the party chief, had stood a chance and that things were moving on.

"I believe in the prudence of Croatian voters; people can see who takes which route for the country. Karamarko stood a chance, he definitely gave his contribution, however, things are moving on," Plenković said during his visit to the coastal resort of Opatija.

Plenković recalled that more than three years ago, when the HDZ was led by Karamarko, the party ousted its government. They failed to reconfigure a parliamentary majority, and Kramarko stepped down as the party leader, he added.

"In 2016 we swiftly put the party on its feet, won the confidence of voters and now we are leading the government and achieving excellent economic results, strengthening the country's international position and are trying to reduce polarisation in the society," the premier said.

In connection with Karamarko's criticism that the current leadership has made the party move away from its voters, Plenković responded that "the policy we are pursuing is healthy for the Croatian society and the HDZ".

Asked by accusations of the former president Ivo Josipović that the current president Kolinda Grabar Kitarović was under influence of alcohol during the central celebrations of Victory Day in Knin, Plenković said that those was "a very tough statement".

"The whole celebration passed in a nice and dignified manner with messages, speeches, being emotionally-charged," he said.

Asked by press to comment on chanting for the 'For the homeland ready' salute during the celebrations of Victory Day, Plenković said that it was up to the police to respond to such developments and also courts can get involved, if there are assessments that they should act.

"I can see that the police keep saying that regardless of their numerous activities, the things do not end up the way they (the police) have anticipated."

When they assess that there are offences, the police must respond, the premier said.

During his stay in Opatija, Plenković met local authorities for the talks on development plans of this Adriatic resort town.

More HDZ news can be found in the Politics section.

ZAGREB, July 19, 2019 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Thursday that one of the reasons for the government reshuffle was a smooth accomplishment of goals, and that pressure by the political opponent and the opposition was such that they wanted to create an atmosphere of instability and stick labels on the government and the ruling HDZ party which did not exist and which he would not let stick on him.

"After three years of the government's work, there are moments when I, as prime minister, evaluate if we can improve, modify the team, make some refreshments which will help us achieve our programme goals," he said on Nova TV.

Plenković said he was especially talking about quite strong media impressions and perception of wrongdoing and even allusions of corruption.

"I don't want, at any moment, to be brought into a situation of having anyone, whether a political opponent or an independent analyst, tie to the government... anything with such connotations. Then I decided, without prejudging, confident that the majority of the people in the government are good and act in line with principles... to cast away all those things from the government's work, from the government's programme, from the party's image and from our priorities."

Although he denied that the opposition imposed the tempo of the reshuffle, he said the opposition was destructive.

"The destructiveness of our political opponent and the opposition was such that they practically wanted to create an atmosphere of instability, of diverting the focus from what is essential, of sticking labels on the government and the HDZ which not only don't exist but I won't let them stick on me."

Plenković said there were three fundamental reasons for the government reshuffle, one being a smooth continuation of work on the government's goals.

He said he wanted to politically refresh the government to "cast away all those topics that have a negative connotation and cloud the quality work of ministers and this government," so that he could "continue with economic growth, to enable a better social inclusion of people... to continue with a quality absorption of EU funds."

Responding to a question from the interviewer, Plenković said the replaced ministers were part of the HDZ.

The PM was also asked about the public perception of Health Minister Milan Kujundžić, who was not replaced despite being faced with problems, including the threat by wholesale drug suppliers that they will stop distributing drugs.

"We are talking with the wholesale suppliers. They were in a meeting here. They received certain funds. The talks will continue," he said, adding that the government and the Croatian Health Insurance Fund would ensure a smooth supply of drugs to hospitals. He said Kujundžić was not putting patients' health in danger.

Plenković was also asked about a Constitutional Court decision on the use of ethnic minority languages and scripts in Vukovar, under which the rights of the Serb minority in the town must be improved.

"Facts are important, what the Constitutional Court decision says. There is no legal obligation that the local community, for example, must set up bilingual signs," he said, adding that under Vukovar's statute, there were provisions which the court did not touch. "The town council will hold a discussion on the state of the dialogue, understanding and tolerance."

He said that under his government things had moved forward and there was more effort to resolve such problems and create a more positive atmosphere between Croats and the Serb minority.

Plenković said Vukovar mayor Ivan Penava, with whom he talked earlier in the day, "is not bringing into question either our legal order or the Constitutional Court decision" and that he "understands his tasks very well."

More politics news can be found in the dedicated section.

ZAGREB, July 18, 2019 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who held a news conference on Wednesday evening to present ministerial nominees as part of his cabinet reshuffle, said that this was a larger-scale reshuffle meant to enable an unburdened government to continue implementing its agenda and thus enable the national economy to continue growing as well as the Croatian society to strengthen its solidarity and reduce polarisation and tensions.

Foreign and European Affairs Minister Marija Pejčinović Burić, who is leaving the government as she was recently appointed secretary-general of the Council of Europe, is to be replaced by Croatian Ambassador to Germany, Gordan Grlić Radman.

Last week, Plenković nominated Ivan Malenica, the Dean of Šibenik Polytechnic, as the new Public Administration Minister replacing Lovro Kuščević who resigned in early July over reported involvement in murky real estate deals.

State Assets Minister Goran Marić, who also resigned over media reports implicating him in murky real estate deals, is to be replaced by Mario Banozić, an official of the Vukovar-Srijem County administration.

Gabrijela Žalac who is the Regional Development and EU Funds Minister will be replaced by the current Labour and Pension System Minister Marko Pavić.

The Labour and Pension System Minister nominee is Josip Aladrović who is currently at the helm of the Croatian Pension Insurance Fund (HZMO).

The outgoing Minister of Demography, the Family, Youth and Social Policy Nada Murganić is to be replaced by a member of parliament, Vesna Bedeković.

Outgoing Agriculture Minister Tomislav Tolušić's successor is incumbent state-secretary Marija Vučković.

The government will have two new deputy prime ministers: Interior Minister Davor Božinović and Finance Minister Zdravko Marić.

Some changes in the posts of state secretaries in a few ministerial departments will be conducted as part of this reshuffle plan.

Thus, Transport and Infrastructure Ministry State Secretary Nikolna Brnjac is going to the post of the Foreign Ministry's state secretary, while Josip Bilaver will fill her post in the Transport Ministry.

A parliamentary deputy, Sanja Putica, is nominated as a new state secretary in the science and education ministry.

The ministerial nominees and this reshuffle plan will be presented to the national parliament on Friday.

Deputy parliament speaker and deputy leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) Milijan Brkić said on Wednesday evening that the party's leadership had unanimously supported the new minister nominees, underlining that the HDZ will continue to care for citizens' problems and resolve issues facing the country.

Also junior partners supported the reshuffle plan during their meeting with Plenković on late Wednesday evening.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic held a press conference late on Wednesday to announce the names of new ministers and state secretaries in his government, saying that the reshuffle was necessary because the public perception of his cabinet was becoming a burden and that he wanted to put the focus of the public and media on everything positive that the government has done so far.

Thanking the outgoing ministers for their effort and contribution, Plenković said he wanted the focus to be on government achievements in having the country's credit rating restored to investment grade, increasing the minimum and average wages, economic growth, European Commission projections, lower unemployment, higher employment, measures for demographic revitalisation, and rescuing the Agrokor conglomerate.

He said that these achievements had ensured the stability of political institutions in the country. "Without this stability, none of these achievements would have been possible."

Plenković said that it was common to reshuffle the cabinet before the start of the fourth year in office. "They will make it possible for the government to continue implementing its programme unburdened," he said, citing activities aimed at economic growth, promoting solidarity in society and lowering social tensions.

The prime minister made the announcement after meeting with his coalition partners, who had given him their support for the changes, and after a meeting of the leadership of his HDZ party.

More HDZ news can be found in the Politics section.

ZAGREB, July 16, 2019 - The resignation tendered by State Assets Minister Goran Maric ensued after a few days ago Marić had held talks with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on that step and it is not a surprise, the government's public relations office says in a press release issued on Monday afternoon.

The government says that on Monday morning Marić sent his letter of resignation to PM Plenković and afterwards informed the public about that move.

Marić announced his resignation on Monday in the town of Novi Vinodolski at a contract-signing ceremony saying this was the last contract on donating state properties he would sign.

"I worked under terrible pressure; I became a target. I cannot accept the unprecedented attack on myself and my family," he told surprised reporters in that coastal town.

In his written resignation to the premier, Marić said the State Assets Ministry had never worked in calm circumstances. "I worked under almost programmed pressure and in circumstances in which doubts were encouraged and tacitly approved as to the organisational foundation of the Ministry and the introduction of the necessary regulation of the status of state assets."

Marić said it was inconceivable and unacceptable that "the media's orchestration and creation of a lynching atmosphere takes priority over a calm and sensible insight into the value, achievements and effects of state assets" in Croatia's politics, economy and society.

Marić said it was incomprehensible that the targeted media pressure made serious work undertaken to activate state property that had been abandoned or seized for decades unimportant.

He added that he "cannot accept and endure the unprecedented media and public attack on the dignity, peace and integrity of my family."

The media suspect Marić over the purchases and sales of flats and the renovation of a part of the Franciscan monastery in Zagreb. He came under preliminary investigation by the USKOK anti-corruption office after the Index portal revealed how he acquired a flat in downtown Zagreb.

Croatian Prime Minister's chief of staff, Zvonimir Frka-Petešić, said on Monday afternoon that during the process of reshuffling his cabinet, the premier would decide whether or not to abolish the ministry of state assets, and the public would be informed in a timely fashion upon the conclusion of consultations.

Addressing the press outside Government House, during a round of consultations, Frka- Petešić reiterated that PM Plenković had known that Goran Marić would today step down as State Assets Minister.

The cabinet's chief-of-staff recalled the course of the previous events. He said that in the morning Marić had sent his letter of resignation to the premier and afterwards informed the public about his decision to step down.

Asked by the press whether the premier had asked Marić to leave the government, Frka- Petešić said that the resignation was a result of the talks between Plenković and Marić a few days before. However, Frka- Petešić could not specify the exact date of those talks.

Živi Zid member of parliament Damjan Vucelić told a news conference in Zagreb on Monday that the only solutions for the "crimes that happen" is holding an early parliamentary election.

As for the resignation of State Assets Minister Goran Marić, Vucelić said that it "is scandalous and unacceptable that the minister in charge of managing state assets makes use of the state to accumulate his wealth".

This opposition party also criticises Marić's decision to reactivate his term as a member of parliament.

Thus, the Sabor turns into "a centre for those Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) ministers who are no longer of any use".

More news about Marić’s resignation can be found in the Politics section.