ZAGREB, May 15, 2018 – Speaking to the press before a meeting with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Tuesday, coalition partners said that it was necessary to end the settlement process in Agrokor and added that they did not consider Plenković to be responsible for the Agrokor email scandal which led to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Martina Dalić’s resignation.
The deputy speaker of Parliament and deputy leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) Milijan Brkić said that Dalić’s resignation was a logical and politically responsible decision. “This situation isn’t pleasant and no one could have wished for it. We don’t need to gloat over this situation,” Brkić said.
“All of us in politics have to be responsible and see that the process for a settlement in Agrokor is completed, that it is fair and equitable, so that creditors and suppliers can be satisfied, that Agrokor comes out stable eventually and that we protect jobs,” Brkić underscored.
With regard to Plenković, Brkić said that, as far as he was aware, Plenković didn’t know what the so-called Borg email group was doing.
Croatian Social-Liberal Party (HSLS) leader Darinko Kosor said he was no longer interested in the reasons for Dalić’s resignation but rather whether there was any criminal responsibility of any other individuals who exploited this for their own personal gain. He added that politicians always have responsibility, but he believes that Prime Minister Plenković has “clean hands,” and that is why he will support the government. It is necessary to identify who showed favouritism and how and as a result gained personal benefit and they need to answer for that, he added.
The head of the regional HDSSB party Branimir Glavaš said that the prime minister had the support of all coalition partners and the government’s survival was not in question. Glavaš added that he didn’t think HDZ members would turn against Plenković.
Christian Democratic Party MP Branko Hrg said he expected to hear what phase the restructuring of Agrokor was at and what would happen next, and possibly be informed of who Dalić’s successor might be. He too believes that Plenković is not responsible for the latest developments.
The president of the Reformists party Radimir Čačić said that the main point now was who would take over the economy portfolio. “If someone from the inside is to take over, then it is logical that that be the incumbent environment protection and energy minister Tomislav Ćorić,” Čačić said. A government without a deputy prime minister for economic affairs would be a serious problem, he added.
