ZAGREB, March 10, 2019 – Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Gabrijela Žalac, who on Saturday took part in a traffic accident in which a 10-year-old girl was injured, wrote on her Facebook wall on Saturday evening that she truly regretted the accident and apologised to the public for not renewing her driver’s licence on time.
In that traffic accident which happened in the eastern town of Vinkovci on Saturday morning, a 10-year-old child, who was running across the street outside a marked crosswalk, was injured when she was hit by the car which was driven by Minister Žalac.
Upon the accident the 10-year-old child was taken to the local hospital where she was diagnosed with a lower leg fracture, and the hospital’s spokeswoman stated that the child was not in a life-threatening condition. Later the child was transferred to the Osijek hospital for the treatment of her injury and doctors said they did not expect any complication or serious consequence of the injury.
“As for my driver’s licence, I have failed to renew it, which was my duty, as it is the duty of all Croatian citizen to renew their licenses every ten years, and for that omission I apologise to the Croatian public,” the minister wrote.
She also said she had visited her “little sweet neighbour in the hospital and she is recovering well.” “My thoughts and prayers are with that girl and her family and I wish her a speedy recovery,” the minister said.
The government issued a press release on Saturday saying that Žalac has not tendered her resignation, nor has the government discussed that option considering the fact that the traffic accident involving the minister could have happen to anyone.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković telephoned the minister when he was informed about the accident, according to the government’s press release which underscores the fact that the minister was driving her private car on her expired licence.
She also immediately paid a fine for that offence which is actually irrelevant for the accident itself. Furthermore, the minister helped the injured child upon the accident and is in contact with her family, the government’s press release reads.
MP Mirando Mrsić of the Democrats party said the minister should have resigned immediately. “A minister in the government cannot break the laws of their own country. Minister Gabrijela Žalac needs to resign immediately. This is the only right way of taking responsibility for your actions,” the Democrats said in a press release.
Traffic experts agreed that the minister made a number of omissions, driving without a valid driver’s licence. They agree she should have been example to others and check the expiration date on her license.
More news about the minister can be found in the Politics section.
