PM Plenkovic: Minority MPs are part of parliamentary majority

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in the eastern town of Djakovo on Thursday that ethnic minorities in Croatia enjoyed all the rights to which they are entitled under the Constitution and the Constitutional Law, stressing that these rights would be fully respected.

Plenkovic was responding to questions from the press as to whether he would have the support of MPs representing ethnic minorities for the appointment of four ministers, after some of the minority lawmakers said that they might not give their support.

"The minorities, namely the eight MPs representing ethnic minorities have been part of the parliamentary majority since the start of the term of my government. So there are no doubts about that," Plenkovic said.

He commented on an interview by the deputy leader of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), Milorad Pupovac, with Serbian public broadcaster RTS regarding the appointment of four new ministers after those from the Bridge party were sacked and a response to it from the deputy leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and deputy speaker of the Croatian parliament, Milijan Brkic.

"In his statement to a Serbian television channel Mr Pupovac did not say what was carried by Croatian media, and that should be made clear. He said that the government vacancies would be filled after the local elections, at the next session of Parliament. Mr Pupovac confirmed this statement in an interview with Croatian media," the PM said.

"This disinformation then became quasi-true news and the question which was put to Mr Brkic led to these comments and misunderstandings. What is clear and what is my view as the leader of the HDZ and Prime Minister is that ethnic minorities in Croatia enjoy all the rights to which they are entitled under the Constitution, the Constitutional Law and many other regulations," Plenkovic said.

He said that ever since he became Prime Minister he had insisted that the minority MPs should be part of the parliamentary majority, adding that he was in close contact with them.

"We have excellent cooperation, and we want the ministers, who will be introduced in a few weeks from now, to be appointed based on an agreement by a reconfigured parliamentary majority and full stop," Plenkovic said.

Text: Hina

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