He is also sure about positive decision of the Commission for Conflict of Interest Prevention.
First Deputy Prime Minister and HDZ president Tomislav Karamarko is absolutely convinced that the Commission for Conflict of Interest Prevention will decide that he is not in a conflict of interest due to the contract because his wife’s company and MOL lobbyist Jozo Petrović and that the government will stay in office until the end of its term, reports 24sata.hr on May 21, 2016.
“I am convinced that the Commission will find the truth, which is that there was no conflict of interest”, said Karamarko, adding that his wife would prove with documents that she did not do any work for Petrović’s company regarding energy issues or MOL. He also rejected doubts about the conversation that he, as HDZ president, had with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto at a time when his wife had a contract with the MOL’s lobbyist. “At that point we did not talk about INA or MOL”, he said.
Karamarko said that arbitration proceedings between Croatia and MOL “would go on”, and that the government a few days ago approved money for a law firm representing Croatian interests. “We have voted for these services to continue to be paid. But, I can repeat what the Prime Minister said a few days ago, and that is that we have to talk with our neighbours even during the arbitration proceedings since that is in the interest of Croatia”, he added, warning that Croatia could lose several billion kuna if it were to lose the arbitration proceedings.
He added that he did not expect anyone’s unconditional support, but that we must all wait for the decision of the Commission. Karamarko said that he would not be disappointed if some of MOST’s MPs were to vote for his dismissal, which has been proposed by SDP. “I am not bound to any post in government. In the past, I have resigned when there was a need to resign. I just want to be a man who can look everyone in the eyes”, said Karamarko.
Talking about further partnership with MOST and rumours about a reshuffle in the ruling majority after intra-party elections in HDZ are concluded, Karamarko said that rumours did exist, but added that he would do everything “for the government to survive in this configuration, on the basis on the political mosaic that we now have”.
“But, it must be said, this government will last as long as HDZ supports the government. Everyone else can leave the government, but if HDZ were to do it, this government would no longer exist. And we cannot do that. If people ask me what I think about new elections, I do not support them they that would take a lot of time”, he said and added that he absolutely believed the government would stay in office until the end of its term.
