As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 7th of July, 2020, when asked what the turning point in the election was, Andrej Plenkovic said that several elements had been dealt with and that most of Croatia’s voters were aware of the achievements [his government] made in its previous term, which was both difficult and challenging.
”We don’t have much time to celebrate,” HDZ President Andrej Plenkovic said for HRT Dnevnik, announcing, among other things, his plan for the reduction of the number of ministries.
Plenkovic said that the celebration after the recent parliamentary elections in which the HDZ won a convincing victory was short lived.
”We don’t have much time to celebrate. There are a lot of people who are asking the Government and Parliament to act,” said Plenkovic, who announced earlier that they have the support of 76 deputies to win a parliamentary majority.
Plenkovic said that they received support in principle from the representatives of minorities, the Reformists and the HNS, but that there was no discussion about the composition of the Government in terms of personnel or departments. When asked whether he would reduce the number of ministries, he answered in the affirmative.
”We have clearly stated that in our Safe Croatia programme. We’re holding consultations on how to adjust the future departments in the most functional, most efficient way, but you’ll need to allow us a few more days to consult about it among ourselves,” said Plenkovic.
As the first steps, among other things, he announced a reduction in income tax, profit tax, and quite remarkably, on VAT on all food…
Plenkovic pointed out that the HDZ won in nine of the eleven constituencies, in two they came second, third and eighth, and they achieved the historically best result.
Asked what the turning point in the election was, he said that several elements had been dealt with and that most voters were aware of the achievements his government made in their previous term, which was difficult and challenging.
”I’m sure that there were mistakes made, but despite that, we did everything we could and knew how to in Croatia’s interest. The results were there,” Plenkovic said.
He said that they had won 23 seats in four Zagreb units, the same as back in 2016, but that this time they had managed to win the left-wing coalition in all units.
Speaking about the reconstruction of Zagreb following the devastating earthquake that hit back in March this year, he said that he would try to find a formula through which they could systematically restore and strengthen many buildings that were damaged.
As for the coronavirus pandemic, he stated once again that it is best to be responsible.
”HDD: hygiene, disinfection and distancing. These are the three elements that will best prevent the spread of the infection,” said Plenkovic, especially appealing to younger people.
He pointed out that the number of hospitalised people with coronavirus is much lower now than it was back in March and that the number of patients on respirators is now very small.
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