ZAGREB, October 2, 2019 – Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Wednesday that what separated President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović from the other presidential candidates was her engagement on Croatia’s international positioning, the stability of institutions and the strengthening of the military.
Speaking to the press before Grabar-Kitarović announced her bid for re-election, Plenković said she would be backed, aside from his HDZ party, by a majority of the Croatian people because they knew what was useful for the country and what was less useful.
Asked what distinguished Grabar-Kitarović from the other candidates, he said “it’s obvious.” “Her achievements in the first term, the direction of the country we run, the fact that she engaged herself on Croatia’s international positioning, that she saw to the stability of institutions, that in this term we strengthened the Croatian army, defence, which is in her remit.”
Plenković said all HDZ members would participate in the presidential campaign. “If you are a member of the party, if you support the presidential candidate, you have the obligation to participate.”
Speaking of an upcoming strike in elementary and high schools and Education Minister Blaženka Divjak’s Facebook post that she is not happy with the talks between the government and school unions, the prime minister underlined the importance of a uniform government policy.
The unions know the government’s offer, which relates to a part of this year, while talks about the future will be held later, he said. “When you have a dialogue, it’s important that people meet halfway. There is good will on our side about all the issues that have been raised in our term and all will be resolved.”
Asked if he could risk a strike in schools ahead of the presidential election, Plenković said the two were not related and that the Science and Education Ministry had accomplished good things.
“We consider education important; we appreciate the contribution of teachers and professors. Without education, there’s no competitiveness in the future of Croatia and new generations. We must also take into account the message, which is continuous, that we can spend only what we can. We ask the unions for understanding. The offer was good.”
As for Međimurje County prefect Matija Posavec’s exit from the HNS, a junior partner in the ruling coalition, Plenković said that irrespective of who was in power locally, the government helped everyone in an organised and engaged fashion.
More news about presidential elections can be found in the Politics section.
