An innovative way to encourage reluctant bachelors to the altar.
As Croatian satirists have a field day with the new proposed Ministry of Demographic Revival, one rural community in inland Dalmatia is taking independent action to address the reluctance of its young male residents from tying the knot, reports Radio Dalmacija on January 5, 2016.
Jokes about the new ministry for making babies intensified when the proposed name of the ministry was unveiled. Its acronym – MUDO – roughtly translates as a person with large testicles, and there was widespread anticipation of who would be the fortunate minister who would assume the email [email protected] until the powers that be recognised the problem and quickly changed the name.
(Croatian satirists have been enjoying the prospect of the proposed ministry – Photo credit Sprdex Author Vladek)
While the politicians in Zagreb debate a less controversial name for the ministry, the rural community of Otok kod Sinj a short drive north of Split is taking matters into its own hands to address the low birth issue. There are some 400 bachelors in the community, a very high number, and the authorities have taken it upon themselves to offer financial incentives to get the young men into church to marry, as well as additional incentives to procreate.
The Mayor of Otok, Branko Samardžić said: “If we knew the real reason, we would solve it. I believe we are not the only one with this kind of problem, many are struggling with the very same issue.”
To encourage the bachelors there is a new offer, valid from January 1, 2016 for each new marriage – the municipality will pay 5.000 kn (approx. US$700).
“We chose this kind of support in starting a family in the amount of five thousand kuna. We support every newborn child too. For the first, we give 2.000 kn, for the second it is 4.000 kn, for the third, 6.000 kn, and so on.. . We care for students too. We have 110 of them and all of them all receiving scholarships. Elementary school children have free school books and high school students free transportations”, said Branko Samardzic and he added: “People are make jokes about it now, but we believe that they will accept it with time.
“We hope that the support of the five thousand kuna for starting a new family and the financial incentive for every child will stimulate the bachelors of Otok to get married, but also that we will inspire other cities and municipalities to do the same.”
