ZAGREB, January 6, 2019 – Social Democratic Party (SDP) president Davor Bernardić on Sunday extended Christmas greetings to Orthodox believers in Croatia, but criticised those in power for “having their picture taken” while Serbs in remote parts of the country live without electricity, alone, hungry and poor, which is “unacceptable” in the 21st century.
Speaking to reporters at the Serb National Council’s reception for Orthodox Christmas, Bernardić said some political parties and individuals were trying to divide people also on ethnic grounds. “That’s unacceptable in the 21st century. The SDP has always been a party breaking down prejudices in our society and barriers between people, whether they are Croats or Serbs, men or women, gay or straight, Muslim, Catholic or Orthodox.”
“That’s why today it’s important to send the strong message that in remote parts of Croatia, those mostly populated by Serbs, there are still areas without electricity, there are elderly people who are hungry, poor, alone… while those in power are having their picture taken here. That’s unacceptable in the 21st century,” said Bernardić.
Reporters asked him to comment on a document which the US administration sent Croatia warning it that the US would not service F-16 fighter jets if Croatia bought them from Israel. He said this was “a big international disgrace for Croatia” and that someone would have to be held accountable, whether Prime Minister Andrej Plenković or Defence Minister Damir Krstičević. He said it was unacceptable that there were so many scandals and that nothing was being done about it.
As for MPs who left their own parties to join the party of Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić, Bernardić said it represented a deception of citizens who were increasingly losing confidence in state institutions and emigrating. “The most just thing to do in this situation would be to go to the polls.”
He recalled that one of Bandić’s MPs recently said that “the first requirement for joining (Bandić’s party) is to support Andrej Plenković,” adding that this showed “how Bandić is using dirty dealings to secure the majority for Plenković.” Bernardić said this was unacceptable and should be looked into by the prosecution authorities.
More news on the status of Serbs in Croatia can be found in our Politics section.
