The size of the flat, and in this case it is 92 square metres, depends on the number of household members, the ministry says adding that the minister, who lived in eastern Croatia before he was appointed minister, has three children and as such eligible for to a larger flat.
The ministry says that the article claiming that the minister himself chose the flat in the centre of Zagreb so he could go to work on foot is aimed at undermining Banožić’s reputation.
The press release cites the rules and criteria for the allotment of properties to state officials and other state employees, underscoring that it was not the minister who had chosen the flat concerned.
It refutes allegations about the minister having the flat renovated at a cost of HRK 200,000 (€26,666), and recalls that before the Banožić family moved into the flat, it had not been used and was in a dilapidated state. Also, the flat had been broken into several times.
The flat concerned was partially renovated before it was allotted to Minister Banožić, the ministry says, underscoring that the investment in the state-owned flat was a long-term investment into the property concerned and not for the needs of particular tenants.
Currently Minister Banožić is occupying the flat, and after the expiry of his ministerial term, it will be allotted to some other occupant, the ministry explained.
