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"We are working in the interests of the people and their living standards, and the economy," Plenković told reporters during a conference of economists in the northern Adriatic resort town of Opatija.
He said that the purpose of the government's decision was to prevent a social rift at the time of the coronavirus pandemic and avoid a possible wave of bankruptcies and job losses.
"That didn't happen thanks to the government measures. It is not in our interest to allow oil prices to endanger the living standards of the people while we are increasing wages, keeping inflation below the EU average and using the available tools for the benefit of the people," the prime minister said.
On 14 October, the government passed a decree capping the price of petrol at HRK 11.10 per litre and the price of diesel at HRK 11. The decree is based on the Petroleum Products Acts which allows the government to set the highest retail price of petroleum products for an uninterrupted period of up to 90 days to protect consumers.
PM dismisses claims about humiliating army chief of staff
Commenting on the claims by the President's Office that he had tried to "humiliate Croatian Armed Forced Chief of Staff Robert Hranj with lies", Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said that he respected Hranj.
"Admiral Hranj in my opinion is a serious and good person. He is a member of the Defence Council as himself, and not as someone who has a supreme commander. If someone asks him something, for his opinion on something, it is up to him to give an answer rather than have someone else tell him no, this is a political question which you will not be answering," Plenkovic said.
He said the question addressed to Hranj at the meeting was normal, appropriate and relevant to the point being discussed. "In the end, let Hranj tell us what happened," Plenković said.
Plenković said they disagreed over the statement issued after the Defence Council meeting because President Milanović thinks that the financial situation in the Armed Forces is not satisfactory while he believes that a lot is being invested.
Text: Hina