News

Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament on Friday amended the Criminal Procedure Act, adding the offence of bribing Members of Parliament to the catalogue of criminal offences.

Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament on Friday passed the Law on State-Subsidised Housing, through which the government aims, among other things, to support first home buyers under the age of 45 who will receive a refund of 50% of VAT or the full amount of real estate transfer tax.

Zagreb - The Croatian parliament on Friday rejected a Social Democratic Party-proposed conclusion that would have tasked the government with initiating the dismissal of State Attorney General Ivan Turudić within 30 days. Sixty-nine MPs voted against the SDP’s conclusion, 51 voted in favour, while two abstained.

Zagreb - The e-Građanin (e-Citizen) system currently has 2.085 million users, Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation Damir Habijan said in Parliament on Thursday, adding that the goal is to digitalise the entire state administration by 2030.

Zagreb - Members of the Sabor's Committee on Maritime Affairs and unionists on Wednesday expressed support for the new management of Jadrolinija, whose president said that their primary goal is to enhance safety on ships while the competent minister announced the procurement of new vessels.

Zagreb - Some of the opposition parties said during the debate on the proposal to amend the State-Subsidised Housing Construction (POS) Act on Tuesday that it would not have a positive impact on housing affordability.

Zagreb - Construction Minister Branko Bačić said on Tuesday, while presenting amendments to the Act on Socially Supported Housing in Parliament, that various housing policy measures will be implemented to accelerate the construction of new apartments and attempt to limit the rise in property prices.

Zagreb - Agriculture Minister David Vlajčić informed the parliamentary Agriculture Committee on Friday that between €270 and €275 million will be allocated to Croatian agriculture in the next two months.

Zagreb - Members of the Croatian Parliament from both the ruling majority and the opposition on Thursday praised the final draft of amendments to the Gambling Act, which introduces a ban on betting terminals in hospitality venues from the beginning of next year.

Zagreb - In the parliamentary debate on the report on the use of EU funds fin the first half of 2024, HDZ MPs said on Tuesday that Croatia is successful in absorption of funds and that the results are visible at every step, while the Opposition stated that the situation is far from perfect.

Zagreb - Sabor Speaker Gordan Jandroković said on Monday at a summit held by the Ukrainian parliament to mark the third anniversary of the liberation of the city of Bucha, that Croatia advocates a fair and viable peace that will be acceptable to Ukraine.

Zagreb - Protecting peace and preserving European values should be among the European Union's priorities, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in Zagreb on Friday.

Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament on Friday elected five members to the HRT Programming Council by secret ballot. Among 13 candidates, it elected Edib Ahmetašević, Damir Bučević, Ozana Ramljak, Sanja Sarnavka, and Vitomir Šimić.

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

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 - 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 - 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 - "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 - 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.