ZAGREB, April 26, 2018 – Lawmakers from two opposition parties – MOST and Social Democratic Party (SDP) – as well as deputies of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), which is a junior partner in the ruling coalition, on Wednesday said that, although the nominee for the new head of the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) Tonko Obuljen was highly professional with the unquestionable references for that position, him being the brother of the current Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek raised some speculations that this appointment could amount to conflict of interest.
The government has proposed Obuljen for the new head of this regulator and Darko Josipović as his deputy, and it has also moved forward proposals for new members of the HAKOM Council: Mislav Hebel, Ante Milas and Nikola Popović due to the expiry of the term of the outgoing council.
Boris Milošević of the SDSS said that the new council was attracting more attention due to the fact that the new chairman is the brother of the culture minister. Obuljen’s appointment is not against the law. The relevant commission will establish whether or not this is conflict of interest. Nonetheless, all that makes the public doubtful, Milošević said. On the other hand, Milošević believes, the council with Obuljen at its helm will place the activities of all other members in the limelight, which is good, he said.
Nikola Grmoja of the MOST party said that Obuljen’s results are yet to be seen, and added that he would abstain from the vote. Obuljen’s results will show if his appointment to that position was the best idea, the MOST MP added.
This party is satisfied with the departure of Dražen Lučić from that position of the HAKOM Council chairman. Grmoja said that Lučić was at the helm of the regulator although he had a criminal record.
Gordan Maras of the SDP said that he had been informed that Obuljen was fully qualified for this position. This is not a fortunate circumstance that he is a minister’s brother, however, his career and qualifications make him fully suitable for this position, the SDP parliamentarian said, expressing doubts that Obuljen’s deputy Dražen Josipović has sufficient qualifications for the position of the vice chairman of HAKOM Council.
The vote on the appointment of the new HAKOM Council is on the parliament’s agenda on Friday.
