The new Minister of Economy Damir Habijan for RTL’s Direkt, he spoke about inflation and the problems of the Croatian economy. In his guest appearance, he emphasized that he does not convert into kunas and that he quickly adapted to the change to euros.
– There are a lot of people who have lower incomes and are socially more sensitive to these things. If I look at what the government has been doing – from aid packages and energy prices that did not affect inflation because the prices of gas and oil derivatives are limited. But citizens should know that, looking at this year’s inflation rates, it is declining. The exception is August, in November it was at 4.7 percent, with the European Commission’s projections that it will fall next year – said Habijan.
Croatia has been hit by strong inflation, and the governor of the Croatian National Bank emphasized that traders are to blame for the situation with rising prices. The minister thinks that individuals took unfair advantage of the situation in which Croatian citizens found themselves.
– This situation was unfairly taken advantage of by individuals, I will not name them, but the institutions in charge of monitoring and sanctioning in Croatia are monitoring it. Based on the State Inspector’s report, when we talk about unjustified price increases, there were those who, despite the Government’s efforts to reduce inflationary pressure on citizens, used it. They should be sanctioned, they should be within the framework of positive regulations – explained Habijan.
To the presenter’s question about the price freeze, Habijan replied that there were two opposition parties that jumped and gave negative forecasts, but that those forecasts did not come true.
– On the other hand, we talked to merchants and banks, it is a good decision that we got a guarantee for interest rates and it is good that citizens know that. We also agreed on raising interest rates on savings. The government is doing what it can, but it is not the only one on the market and it is not the only one affecting inflation – the minister adds.
However, as far as the entrepreneur and the medial salary of 1,000 euros are concerned, Habijan does not think that he will be a reformer who will change the whole picture in just a few months.
– I’m not that kind of person. You need to listen, talk, be a service, start with the measures I announced. It can always be better, but the average salary of 1178 and the median salary of 1014 euros – it can and should be better. But the Government has made it possible to increase wages through tax policy and changes in tax laws and enabled cities to influence wages. In most cases, this happened, but the fact that some cities, such as Zagreb, Rijeka or Varaždin, did not do so, but, moreover, increased the income tax rate – this is a question specifically for Varaždin, let’s say for the mayor – said Habijan, who emphasizes that he does not want to promise something that he cannot fulfill in a short time.
As he says, he is not worried about how long he will be a minister, he is looking forward to everything that is yet to come. Since he took over the ministerial chair last week, he has held numerous meetings. Habijan considers himself to be a team player and that the minister cannot change anything by himself.
– That’s why there is a cabinet, that’s why there are numerous experts and professional people. We can achieve a lot through team work, maybe better communication and courses, exchange of information – said Habijan.
Former economy minister Davor Filipović was removed from office after his advisor’s incriminating messages were leaked to the public. When asked by the presenter if he can be sure that such things are not still happening in the Ministry, Habijan emphasizes that it is clear that this is an affair related to one political party.
– It’s the Bridge. The fact is that one person, a special adviser, used state money, which, worst of all, he apparently shared with that specific information, apparently in agreement with the journalist and in agreement with his colleague Grmoja, i.e. Most in some way (and this is clear from those messages? aimed to overthrow the Government. This is something that is inadmissible. But we must be aware that there are certain promotional activities, for example, if we look at EU funds, where you have a clear default that you have to promote that project in some way. What from I asked my colleagues to see and analyze all these contracts so that this would certainly not happen, that is, that it would not happen again – explained Habijan.
Long lines formed in front of the bakeries, which were open on Štefanje, and customers complained that they had nowhere to buy bread. Some of the merchants at the cemetery in Miroševac also complained that they were not allowed to sell candles on Christmas, which they otherwise could. Minister Habijan does not think that the ban on working on Sundays is too strict. As he says, the Trade Act actually established a balance between private life and family life, but also the freedom of entrepreneurship.
– So, we ourselves know that the law itself has certain exceptions. I think that they are absolutely enabled to a sufficient extent that all those who want to work on those days can do so. We have already seen this during the summer. I think that if certain facilities are closed for Christmas and for Christmas and St. Stephen’s Day – that it is not something new for everyone. I remember when I was a child – stores were not open. So you simply ensure that you have bread for two days. I think it’s not the biggest problem, and on the other hand, there are certainly those who want to be with their families on Christmas Eve – said Habijan.
He considers his new ministerial role stressful, but completely different from the role of a parliamentary representative. He believes that both jobs are demanding, but adds that he likes challenges. The new minister is known for his frequent trips to the gym, and he hasn’t abandoned training since he assumed this state function.
– There are 24 hours in a day, and anyone who tells me that they can’t set aside one hour a day for themselves… Someone watches television, someone follows series, someone maybe reads a newspaper. I want to devote that hour to myself – if I can’t spare one hour a day… – said the minister.