ZAGREB, CROATIA - The request by the president of the SDP (Social Democratic Party) Zoran Milanovic, that state officials, meaning members of the cabinet and parliamentarians, be excluded from the salary increase that other state officials will get, was not taken well by the cabinet.

“The comment of the cabinet is – who on what, SDP on social sensitivity. When we proposed freezing salaries and led long negotiations with the unions, and implemented the proposal on the work of the economic committee, SDP was against it” said the vice-president of the cabinet, Jadranka Kosor.

She reminded that SDP reduced the salaries of state officials by around 30 to 40 percent, because of which HDZ’s (Croatian Democratic Union) cabinet was faced with suits, for which they had to pay more than 1.5 billion kuna. They had to return a billion kuna because SDP did not fulfil the regulations of the law on Croatian veterans. Kosor mentioned SDP’s removal of rights from “Croatian women, mothers and children”.

“This is only a small part of an example on social sensitivity of the Social Democratic Party during their term. To now call upon the cabinet to give up on this or that is hypocritical, clear demagogy and those are empty words” said Kosor. The cabinet consulted with experts, and a selective application of the regulation is not possible.

Kosor: Scandalous call by Slavko Linic to employers to sue the state

The question by the cabinet to Zoran Milanovic is why he was against freezing salaries of state officials when the cabinet proposed it.

“That is a practice of rambling and not respecting regulations, now like this, now like that” said Kosor. She added that the cabinet was prepared to give up the increases when it was being discussed.

When asked if the cabinet was considering, by Slovenia’s example, of reducing salaries to state officials, Kosor answered that the cabinet is constantly thinking about everything, and that they would be happier if they had managed to agree with the unions.

“This initiative comes at a time when everything has passed, and then SDP suddenly remembers social sensitivity” added Kosor. She stressed that SDP missed their opportunity, and that they will not determine what the cabinet will do.

She added the call by SDP’s Slavko Linic is scandalous, who called upon employers to sue the state for problems with the supply of gas. As she says, Linic is calling for a suit against the cabinet of a sovereign state. She added that a contract relationship between the cabinet and employers is not in question, and that Linic is forgetful.

Take a look at Milanovic’s statements in the article: Incredible, Croatian PM and MPs Get Raise.