ZAGREB, October 20, 2020 – Prime Minister and Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday that President Zoran Milanovic’s conduct over the past few months had been bizarre.
“The thing that I consider to be crucial is to recognise three fundamental points in this truly bizarre behaviour by President Milanovic over the past few months which I consider to be problematic, not just from my aspect as prime minister but from the aspect of society overall,” Plenkovic said ahead of a meeting of HDZ’s leadership when asked by the press to comment on Milanovic’s behaviour.
In that regard, he recalled Milanovic’s statement which could have affected the trust of a certain portion of citizens in “what the government has been doing and what the national covid response team and epidemiologists and physicians have been doing.”
“If someone says something like ‘coronavirus can be compared to tooth decay’, then I consider that to be undermining the trust in those who are serious and committed to their work in hospitals and welfare institutions every day so that the most fragile do not become ill and what is worse, die,” he said.
Observing the situation in Europe and the world, there is no one left who is downplaying the novel coronavirus.
Milanovic’s behaviour is also highly unusual in reference to the activities by the DORH prosecutor’s office, USKOK anti-corruption office and police regarding Janaf and other scandals, the premier said.
“The president’s comments on the work of DORH, USKOK and the police are unbelievable,” said Plenkovic and wondered whether Milanovic may have a problem because those institutions were fighting corruption.
“The fight against coronavirus – it seems he is opposed to it, the fight against corruption – he seems to have a problem with it. I don’t believe that he is against it exactly but it’s obvious he has a problem with it,” said Plenkovic.
Referring to the attack on Government House and the grave wounding of a police officer, Plenkovic said that some people are downplaying that event. “Downplaying that event means minimising it and that’s not good,” he added.
Asked whether President Milanovic called him after the attack on Monday, Plenkovic confirmed that he did.
“He called, that’s correct.We spoke briefly and that was all. I did not experience that as some sort of support nor do I need it,” he said.
Asked whether a meeting of the National Security Council would be convened as suggested by President Milanovic, Plenkovic answered briefly: “We’ll see.”
Plenkovic added that he cannot see any cooperation or support that Milanovic has spoken about.
