ZAGREB, June 3, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday Croatia today was certainly a better country than in 2016, when his government came to power, adding that "We are going after a vote of confidence for the second half."

Speaking on Croatian Radio, he said that in the first half, since 2016, the government worked on four promises made to citizens - political stability, legal certainty, economic growth, and social solidarity.

Plenkovic reiterated that during his government wages increased, the average pay by HRK 1,150, that pensions increased, that Croatia had a sound economic growth, a budget surplus for three years, that the public debt was reduced and that the country came out of the excessive budget deficit procedure.

He said his HDZ party aimed to win 61 seats in parliament, as it did almost four years ago.

He said the July 5 election would be particularly because the right of centre was the HDZ, the Homeland Movement and Bridge, and on the other end a coalition which he said had no solutions. He underlined the importance of preventing a repeat of the dissipation of votes on the right.

ZAGREB, June 2, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Tuesday he did not see anything contentious in Minister Tomislav Coric's decision to revoke a decision for making a new feasibility study for the Krs-Padjene wind park, saying that he does not think Coric would sign something without first checking with experts.

"I don't see anything contentious in Minister Coric's decision if you are referring to the 2017 decision. That was based on the same model as for other wind parks," said Plenkovic during a visit to the Elka company.

He added, however, that he would inspect Environment and Energy Minister Coric's decision which revoked a previous decision on the need to make an environmental impact study and a general assessment of acceptability for the ecological network for the Krs-Paden wind park.

"It is possible to check everything that needs to be checked. I do not think that Minister Coric would have signed anything without first checking with experts in his ministry," said Plenkovic.

He said that Coric did not run the decision by him as those are decisions that are in fact made at the ministerial level.

"There are clear distinctions of authority regarding matters that the government decides on and what ministers decide on. The government cannot make all the decisions," Plenovic said and added that a minimum has to exist with regard to delegating responsibilities and trust.

Asked why such a quick decision was made to penalise former state secretary Josipa Rimac, Plenkovic said that this corruption scandal occurred in real-time during this government's term which is why the reaction followed immediately.

He confirmed that there is an enormous difference between this case and those involving ministers who left the government.

"Let's not generalise stories about this government, ministers, and their responsibilities. Of all the political and media- orchestrated quakes aimed at bringing down the government since 2017 (...) when observed at the operational level, where are those cases? Who is being tried for anything?," asked Plenkovic.

With regard to suspicion of criminal dealings by former public administration minister Lovro Kuscevic, Plenkovic recalled that the case referred to events that occurred while Kuscevic was the mayor of Nerezisce and not a member of the government.

"That isn't something that had any connection to this government and that is the point," he said.

Asked whether he was concerned with information leaks regarding investigations by the USKOK anti-corruption office which, according to some claims, is the reason for the sudden arrests in the wind park scandal, Plenkovic said that that is horrifying.

"People who have that information, that can be a very narrow circle of people, that has to come from the State Prosecutor's Office or the police. They are responsible for that have to find out who is practically compromising their work. I think that is disastrous," the prime minister said.

ZAGREB, May 30, 2020 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Saturday that he was sorry the President was calling Statehood Day an election rally of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), underscoring that it was bad he spoke in such a way about positive legislation passed by the parliament.

"I think it is bad that the President of the Republic speaks in such a way about positive legal regulations passed by the parliament," Plenkovic told reporters commenting on a statement by President Zoran Milanovic that May 30 was not Statehood Day and that it was a result of one political party's (HDZ) private affairs.

"We know very well that (former SDP leader Ivica) Racan's government in 2001 decided that Statehood Day should be marked on June 25, which is also an important day. This (May 30) was the beginning and that's why I regret that he speaks in such a way about a key date for modern Croatia," he added.

He expressed confidence that Milanovic would change his opinion during his term of office.

The prime minister said that he did not hear Milanovic's accusations that the Statehood Day commemoration was an HDZ election rally or HDZ official Vladimir Seks's statement that conditions had been created to remove the president from office.

"Today is a key date for Croatia and I am proud... that we again mark Statehood Day on this date," he underscored.

Plenkovic also did not want to comment on the fact that Milanovic had not come to lay a wreath at the grave of Croatia's first president Franjo Tudjman, saying that he personally should be asked about this.

"I am the head of the government, of the HDZ, the person on whose initiative the date of Statehood Day has changed. He is a different institution, ask him about his behavior. I have said enough about the matter and that is not the subject of my interest," Plenkovic underscored.

He also said that yesterday's arrests in a case involving the Croatian Forests company, especially that of HDZ official Josipa Rimac, were not difficult for the HDZ and added that the rule of law must apply at all moments.

"The DORH (State Attorney's Office), the police are independent. If someone has committed a crime or there is reasonable suspicion that they have committed it, the police, the DORH, and everyone else must do their job regardless of the time, the person concerned or their party affiliation," he underscored.

Plenkovic also said that this example of the independence of state institutions was further proof that they were fighting against corruption.

He called the prompt dismissal of Public Administration Ministry state secretary Josipa Rimac and Assistant Economy Minister Ana Mandac a clear message, adding that relevant party bodies would decide whether to launch intraparty proceedings against them.

Asked if it had been a bad decision to appoint Rimac state secretary at the Public Administration Ministry after an earlier affair involving her house, Plenkovic said that what was happening now had nothing to do with the Public Administration Ministry.

He reiterated that May 30 was the day when the first democratically elected multi-party Croatian parliament was constituted. "This is a key date in the 1990-1992 period when important decisions were made for our independence and freedom. I am especially glad that the current parliament has changed Statehood Day's date back to May 30 at the government's proposal," the PM underscored.

ZAGREB, May 28, 2020 - Prime Minister and HDZ party leader Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday that he would run in the July 5 parliamentary election as a candidate in Constituency No. 1 and that he believed his party would win the same number of seats as in the 2016 election.

Constituency No. 1 covers the northwestern part of Zagreb County and parts of central and west Zagreb.

"Consultations are underway, the number of candidates is much bigger than the number of places on slates. We have been in talks with county leaders and our partners, some of whom will be on our slates," Plenkovic told the HTV public broadcaster.

He said that in mid-June, once the consultations were completed, party slates would be made public and the party platform would be finished, dismissing speculation that he would run in Constituency No. 10 which covers the southern part of Split-Dalmatia County as well as Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

Plenkovic said he expected the HDZ to repeat its success in the 2016 election when it won 61 seats in the 151-seat parliament, this time "showing its achievements and clear solutions for Croatia's future."

He also said that he was glad Statehood Day would again be observed on May 30 and that the parliament had decided to accept the government's proposal that the holiday again be observed on that date instead of on 25 June, designated as Statehood Day by the Ivica Racan government 20 years ago.

Plenkovic believes that the Croatian people had never really accepted June 25 as Statehood Day, noting that May 30 was the day when the first democratic multiparty parliament was inaugurated and which in the 1990s meant a lot to everyone.

"We now want, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the parliament's inauguration after the first democratic elections, to restore the positive atmosphere and identification of the nation with the symbols of the state and its key dates," he said.

Plenkovic said he did not agree with how President Zoran Milanovic saw Statehood Day.

"One should identify with what that date means to the Croatian people, and May 30 means a lot, it is not just a holiday of one political party but of the entire Croatian people," he said.

ZAGREB, May 26, 2020 -  Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Tuesday rejected claims that reporters' correspondence was being monitored, underscoring that there is no way that that could even be thought of.

"I deny that in the strongest terms," Plenkovic said in Vrgorac when asked to comment on a statement by Environment Minister Tomislav Coric at a press conference earlier in the day related to a memorandum between INA and JANAF, when Coric called out N1 TV reporter Hrvoje Kresic for his writing in a reporters' social network group.

Coric said that from Kresic's work and messages in the group, it was evident that he was not happy with the appointment of INA's management board.

"No one in the government or anyone else can or must have any insight into anyone's correspondence, especially between journalists," said Plenkovic.

Plenkovic described the memorandum of understanding between INA and JANAF as protecting the government's national interests in INA.

"INA is one of our largest companies. It is also very important for energy independence and generally for the economy. It is key that consultants will present their preliminary estimates and evaluation around 10 June and after that we can decide further," he said.

Commenting on a statement by Social Democratic Party leader Davor Bernardic that the memorandum was a "betrayal of national interests," Plenkovic said that Bernardic is an immature politician who, with his conduct, disqualifies himself for any serious position in state institutions.

Plenkovic added that the government was aware that Janaf and INA had signed the memorandum and that Minister Coric informed the public in detail about that today.

The President who may not go to the polls is degrading yet another important institution - the State Prosecutor's Office

Asked by reporters about the newly appointed chief state prosecutor, Prime Minister Plenkovic said that she (Zlata Hrvoj Sipek) was appointed today in the parliament following a public call for applications that was advertised by the State Prosecutorial Council.

"We interviewed all six candidates. Based on the programme she presented and her experience, she has worked in the State Prosecutor's Office for more than 25 years, has enormous professional experience, knows the system well, she knows what needs to be done in accordance with the Constitution and the law, and I expect that, in line with that, she will continue the work of that important institution," he said and added that he considers her to be the right choice considering the other candidates.

Plenkovic reacted to claims by President Milanovic that she was the prime minister's choice for the chief state prosecutor.

"She was the choice of the government' and the parliamentary majority," Plenkovic underlined.

"Seeing that this is not someone who has come from outside the state prosecution system, I think that it is bad that the president, who said that he might not vote in the parliamentary election, is now degrading yet another important institution, and that is the State Prosecutor's Office," Plenkovic concluded.

ZAGREB, May 26, 2020 - A grant agreement was signed in Dubrovnik on Tuesday for the reconstruction and extension of the Lapad waterfront in Dubrovnik worth HRK 70 million, for the second, third and fourth phases of construction.

Attending the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic underscored that the project is essential for Dubrovnik's development and that it fits into the government's policy and partnership with local authorities.

"During the meeting on the occasion of the Feast Day of St. Blaise in 2019, we adopted a set of important items for development projects in the city with a total value of HRK 4.5 billion. Of the HRK 5.8 billion in funds agreed to from EU fund, HRK 5.6 billion was agreed to during our term in government," he recalled.

He noted that measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, the Employment Agency received more than 4,119 applications for wage subsidies and so far HRK 90 million has been paid in the Dubrovnik-Neretva county.

"Thus, we secured jobs to be kept in Croatia's south. In addition, through fiscal decentralization, revenues generated by municipalities in this county increased by 33.28%, revenues for cities increased by 48.79% and the county's income increased by 30.17%," said Plenkovic.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Oleg Butkovic underscored that in the past four years the government had invested HRK 6.7 billion for transport projects in Croatia's south, from the Peljesac Bridge and Dubrovnik airport to the Ploce port and other important port projects.

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Frankovic said that this is the largest infrastructure project in the city center in the past 42 years. A two-lane modern road will divert congestion for Lapad and Babin Kuk and we will get a new promenade and additional content for citizens and visitors," underlined Frankovic.

ZAGREB, May 25, 2020 - Prime Minister and HDZ president Andrej Plenkovic said on Sunday the HDZ was going into the parliamentary election to win voters' confidence for "the second half" and that after the election he was willing to sit at the table with those that would pull Croatia forward but that Miroslav Skoro was not such a person.

"We coped with the pandemic crisis and now that we have finished the first half, we want to win voters' confidence for the second half so that we can embark on economic recovery," he said on RTL television.

He said the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) would present its platform "in the next few days" and that it "has everything Croatian citizens need in the future. We are willing to achieve that."

Plenkovic said the HDZ would run in the July 5 election with the partners it cooperated within 2016, reiterating that it would not form a coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and recalling that the HDZ never said it would form a coalition with Skoro's Homeland Movement, "let alone with Bridge, given our experience."

He reiterated that Skoro proved to be "a great partner to the SDP" and that he helped Zoran Milanovic be elected president.

"I'm willing to sit at the table with those who will pull Croatia forward. Miroslav Skoro is not that one, especially after the parliamentary election. Mr Skoro's partners have hurled so many lies, bile, and untruths at the HDZ and me. That's not my company... I want Croatian citizens to be the HDZ's main partner."

As for a possible post-election coalition with Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic, Plenkovic said he doubted that he could pass the electoral threshold. "I doubt it, especially after what he said a few days ago when he stated who did what for Zagreb after the earthquake."

He said the problems in drawing up a bill on the reconstruction of Zagreb surfaced between the Construction Ministry and the city, and that a consensus was reached only when he became involved.

Plenkovic confirmed that talks were held with Marijana Petir to be on an HDZ slate in the coming election as well as with Mladen Markac, but denied that he had discussed that also with the former head of state Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

"There's no need for that. I didn't notice that she wants to be an MP," he said. Asked if Grabar-Kitarovic might be in the next government if the HDZ won, he said they had not talked about it.

Plenkovic confirmed that the head of the COVID-19 crisis management team, Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic, as well as Health Minister Vili Beros would be on HDZ slates, but that there had been no talk about team members Alemka Markotic and Krunoslav Capak being listed. He added that he wanted former defense minister Damir Krsticevic to be on an HDZ slate.

Asked about his communication with President Milanovic, Plenkovic said they spoke on the phone and consult when necessary. "And when there are outstanding issues, it ends up in the media."

ZAGREB, May 23, 2020 - Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Davor Bernardic said on Saturday in Dubrovnik that voting for the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) meant voting for corruption.

Responding to Plenkovic's statement in an interview that a vote for Miroslav Skoro was a vote for the SDP, the opposition leader thus reiterated his accusations against the HDZ.

He went on to say that during the four-year of the term of the current government Plenkovic "has hidden behind Brussels, his aides, various task forces, the virus, and crisis management teams."

Commenting on Plenkovic's statement that the ban on Sunday work will be lifted if it is established that it is no longer required epidemiologically, but that he is for Sunday to be a non-working day, the SDP chief said that Plenkovic could not decide whether to have working or non-working Sundays.

"He could not take a position on important decisions for Croatia. Therefore, he cannot be at the helm of Croatia, and he will not be after 5 July," Bernardic said at a news conference in Dubrovnik before an SDP meeting.

Bernardic accused the Plenkovic government of lack of care for the tourism sector and promised that as soon as the SDP won the election, that party would reduce Value Added Tax in tourism and hospitality to 10%. 

ZAGREB, May 23, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has said the ban on Sunday work will be lifted if it is established that it is no longer required epidemiologically, but that he is for Sunday to be a non-working day.

"The ban on Sunday work was an epidemiological measure introduced at a moment that was quite different from today's circumstances, when we have single-digit numbers of new (COVID-19) infections. The objective of the measure was to reduce the intensify of the population's mobility one day in the week. If it's now concluded epidemiologically that it's no longer necessary, the measure will be lifted," Plenkovic said in an interview in Jutarnji List's Saturday issue.

"As far as Sunday is concerned, I'm for it to be a non-working day. That's the political position of the government and the HDZ."

He said the effects of the economy's reactivation would be carefully analysed.

In the first 20 days of May, retail trade dropped only 5% on the year, he said. We will continue with the support measures for the real sector but target them, he added.

Speaking of opponents in the coming parliamentary election, Plenkovic said voters would elect those who they thought could cope with crises and run the country in the best way. "Those who create chaos and are irresponsible can't run the country in difficult, challenging circumstances."

He said he was prepared to participate in debates and that he still thought, as he did in the presidential election, that a vote for Miroslav Skoro was a vote for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

"When (Mislav) Kolakusic, supported by Human Shield, gave up the campaign, enabling the consolidation of the left's votes, and when some people in our party were more engaged on some other side rather than for Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Skoro wins 24%. And what was achieved by that? Not only was  (Zoran) Milanovic first in the first round, but 100,000 ballots were made invalid in the second round, which was obviously sabotage. I believe people see that now and that the same scenario won't happen twice. Such a scenario repeating would help (Davor) Bernardic and the SDP."

ZAGREB, May 22, 2020 - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Friday that a virtual EU summit with the six Eastern Partnership countries would be held in June.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Minister Grlic Radman met at the National and University Library in Zagreb with ambassadors from EU member countries in Croatia.

They discussed Croatia's EU presidency in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and economic recovery.

Grlic Radman said that a summit would be held on the Eastern Partnership as part of Croatia's EU presidency in the second half of June, slightly more than a month after the EU-Western Balkans summit organised by Zagreb, which the minister said had "put the topic of EU enlargement back on the agenda."

"The summit on the Eastern Partnership will be held in the same way the (EU-Western Balkans) summit was held, in its full format," said Grlic Radman.

The Eastern Partnership countries are Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia and Moldova.

The EU has prepared for those countries a €960 million euro relief package to help them fight COVID-19 and alleviate the economic and social consequences of the pandemic.