News

Zagreb - Croatian National Bank (HNB) Deputy Governor Sandra Švaljek, said on Thursday that inflation is an issue which is "mostly" behind us, but that other risks are emerging which could complicate life for citizens and entrepreneurs more than inflation.

Zagreb - The parliament will discuss on Thursday reports from the Croatian National Bank (HNB) on the financial situation, the degree of price stability, and the implementation of monetary policy for the second half of 2023 and the first half of 2024.

Zagreb - Presenting the Croatian Parliament with a report on investments in islands in 2023, a government representative informed lawmakers of the new developments for islands and islanders brought by a new bill on islands, which is open for public consultation until April 7.

Zagreb - Greater internet oversight, protection from illegal content and better-informed users are among the benefits brought by the regulations on the single market for digital services and data governance, Justice, Administration and Digital Transformation Minister Damir Habijan said in parliament on Friday.

Zagreb – Proposed amendments to the Thermal Energy Market Act will allow each buyer or property owner to pay for heating based on actual consumption. Those who do not install dividers or calorimeters will be required to pay a fee to promote heating efficiency, it was stated in Parliament on Thursday.

Zagreb - Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities Darijo Jurišić said during a parliamentary debate on the 2023 annual report on Wednesday that even though some progress has been made in employing persons with disabilities, it remains extremely limited.

Zagreb - Labour and Social Policy Minister Marin Piletić on Tuesday dismissed opposition claims in Parliament that amendments to the Social Welfare Act are being introduced hastily and without expert consultation. He announced a continued and steady increase in social welfare benefits.

Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament on Tuesday observed a minute's silence to honour the 59 victims of Sunday's nightclub fire in Kočani, North Macedonia.

Zagreb - The Opposition said on Tuesday that the amendments to the Social Welfare Act, proposed by the government under a fast-track procedure, bring progress but fail to address one important group - the elderly, while HDZ MPs emphasised that the government is working to raise social security for all groups.

Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament on Friday held a minute of silence in memory of the President of the Supreme Court Radovan Dobronić, who died last Saturday after a long and serious illness.

Zagreb - The parliamentary Committee for Information, Informatization and Media held a session on the future of Croatian Radio Television (HRT) on Thursday, but no conclusions were reached.

Zagreb - The Croatian parliament will discuss on Thursday the government's proposal to extend the reduced 5% VAT rate on deliveries of natural gas, firewood, pellets, briquettes, wood chips, and district heating until the end of March 2026.

Zagreb - In 2023, there was a 13% increase in cases of children's rights violations compared to the previous year, with an especially alarming 80% rise in school violence, warned the Children's Ombudsperson, Helenca Pirnat Dragičević, while presenting the annual report in Parliament on Wednesday.

Zagreb - Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković issued a message on International Women's Day, saying the holiday is a powerful reminder of the invaluable overall contribution of women to the world.

Zagreb - Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković concluded his visit to North Macedonia on Friday with meetings with the Bishop of Skopje and Greek Catholic Eparch Kiro Stojanov, as well as the head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Stefan.

Zagreb - Marija Lugarić, Chair of the Croatian Parliament's Gender Equality Committee, on Friday extended her congratulations to women ahead of International Women's Day, emphasising that the day is not only a celebration but also a reminder of the importance of equality and respect for women's rights.

Zagreb - Croatia will continue to provide political, institutional, and expert support to North Macedonia in its efforts to join the EU, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said in Skopje on Thursday, during meetings with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.

Zagreb - Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković called on North Macedonia in Skopje on Thursday to continue with reforms on its path towards EU membership "despite very often unfair obstacles."

Zagreb – Members of the Croatian Parliament on Friday unanimously welcomed the initiative to declare 14 March as National Psychologists' Day, emphasising the need to destigmatise the seeking of psychological support and assistance.

Zagreb - Croatian MPs unanimously emphasised the importance of protecting the Adriatic Sea from pollution, welcoming the ratification of the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter.

Zagreb - Opposition MPs on Wednesday discussed a list of 13 candidates for five seats on the Croatian Radio Television (HRT) Programming Council, arguing that the Council has been "marginalised and rendered powerless" and pointing to current problems at HRT.

Zagreb - Members of the Croatian Parliament said on Tuesday that the fight against drug abuse and addiction must involve society as a whole, highlighting the importance of prevention and education while warning of the alarming rise in the number of addicts in Croatia.

Zagreb - On Friday, the Croatian Parliament elected Nikola Vištica as the new President of the Governing Council of the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA) and Zlatko Zmijarević as a member.

Zagreb - The State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Ivo Milatić, on Thursday dismissed opposition claims that the government had done nothing to curb inflation, which, according to the opposition, has placed Croatia among the EU countries with the highest inflation rates for three years.

Zagreb - Both the governing majority and the opposition voiced their support on Friday for increasing salaries and entitlements for judicial officials during a parliamentary debate on amendments to the law governing their pay.

Zagreb - The Croatian parliament on Tuesday unanimously endorsed the convention on the European University Institute (EUI), and the ratification of the document will make it possible for Croatian researchers to have access to prestigious research programmes and projects.

Zagreb - Irena Petrijevčanin, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, said in Parliament on Friday that the majority of current threats to critical infrastructure are cyber threats, emphasising the importance of strengthening the resilience of key sectors.

Zagreb - Lawmakers from the ruling party and some opposition MPs on Friday supported the final amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act, which gradually increase the annual energy savings obligation rates.

Zagreb - The government has submitted to parliament a final bill on extraordinary price control measures, to be discussed under fast-track procedure.

Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament on Tuesday approved David Vlajčić (Homeland Movement, DP) as the new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well as Deputy Prime Minister.

Zagreb - Ahead of the vote on the new Minister of Agriculture on Tuesday, MP Marijan Pavliček (Croatian Sovereignists) called on the ruling majority to dissolve Parliament and call new elections instead of appointing a new minister.

Zagreb - "We want the war to end as soon as possible, but we need a just peace that will guarantee security for Ukraine and Europe," Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in the Croatian Parliament on Wednesday.

Zagreb - Information Commissioner Anita Markić presented a report to Parliament on Wednesday regarding the implementation of the Right to Access Information Act in 2023. She highlighted continuous progress in the application of the law and expressed expectations for the continuation of positive trends.

Zagreb - Paying tribute to the victims of the Holocaust with government representatives on Monday at Zagreb's Mirogoj cemetery, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said that it was one of the most shameful periods in human history and that it is extremely important to preserve the memory of that time.

Zagreb - The parliamentary opposition remained reserved on Thursday regarding the assurances given by Interior Minister Davor Božinović that the protection of personal data is one of the key concerns of a bill on the exchange of data between law enforcement authorities of EU member states.

Zagreb - The impact of Croatian industry on climate change is less than 1 per cent, the Minister for Environmental Protection and the Green Transition, Marija Vučković, said in Parliament on Wednesday during a debate on the Climate Change and Ozone Layer Protection Bill.

Zagreb - Relations between Croatia and Denmark are excellent, and trade is continuing its positive trend, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković and his Danish counterpart Soren Gade concluded during their meeting in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Zagreb - The 14th meeting of members of children's councils and forums, and members of the National Forum of the Eurochild Children's Council of Croatia, took place at the Croatian Parliament on Monday, with the children presenting topics related to their rights to parliamentarians and other attendees.

Zagreb - The joint organisation of the World Handball Championship with Denmark and Norway serves as a roadmap for various collaborative projects in the future, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said to Danish King Frederik X in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Zagreb - The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, began his official visit to Denmark on Monday with a visit to the National Museum of Denmark, which features exhibits showcasing the connections between Croatia and Denmark.

Zagreb - Today marks 33 years since Croatia became an internationally recognised state on 15 January 1992, and 27 years since the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube Region into the country's constitutional and legal order, completed on the same date in 1998.

Zagreb - Meetings between the European Union and the countries of Southeast Europe on an annual basis were previously "unimaginable," but today they are a normal practice, which is a big "political success," Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in Parliament on Wednesday. He was presenting a report on the meetings of the European Council, as well as the EU-Western Balkans summit held last month.

Zagreb - Croatian Parliament members will continue working on Wednesday after a month-long winter break, with the new, fifth session, to last until early April, kicking off with the traditional Question Time and questions to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and ministers.

Zagreb - In addition to their basic monthly salaries, which almost doubled in the autumn and now average €4,000, the state allocated another €686,000 for other needs of members of parliament for the seven and a half months from 16 May, when the new, 11th convocation was inaugurated, to 27 December in 2024.

Zagreb - Sabor Speaker Gordan Jandroković on Monday sent a greeting to believers who mark Christmas according to the Julian calendar, wishing that the joy of the holiday would serve as an inspiration that boosts the spirit of cooperation and understanding, as well as unity and harmonious coexistence in Croatia.

Zagreb - In his New Year message on Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković wished everyone abundant health and fulfillment, emphasising that Croatia needs more unity and mutual respect on its path to strengthening its security and economic position.

Zagreb - Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković extended greetings on Wednesday to the Jewish faithful in Croatia on the occasion of Hanukkah, expressing hope that this year it will serve as a herald of peace amidst growing global challenges.

Zagreb - Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković extended his Christmas greetings on Tuesday to Croatian citizens and Croats at home and abroad, calling for more concrete solidarity with those living in poverty, fear, or facing personal tragedies.

Zagreb - The first Constitution of the independent Republic of Croatia was adopted by parliament on 21 December 1990, and solemnly proclaimed by the Sabor the following day. Since it was passed on the eve of Christmas, this highest legal and political act became known as the Christmas Constitution.

Zagreb - The first Constitution of the independent Republic of Croatia was adopted by parliament on 21 December 1990, and solemnly proclaimed by the Sabor the following day. Since it was passed on the eve of Christmas, this highest legal and political act became known as the Christmas Constitution.