Plenković: Electricity supply in Croatia is secure

The record-low water level of the Danube has almost halted the operation of Hungary's only nuclear power plant, Paks, warning of the consequences of extreme weather conditions for Europe's energy security. Croatian rivers are also facing record-low water levels.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated from Bol on the island of Brač that the electricity supply in Croatia is guaranteed.

"HEP issued a press release yesterday, and from that standpoint, there is no doubt that there will be electricity," Plenković said.

He added that the record-low water levels of the Danube affect security protocols related to the Paks nuclear power plant.

Regarding the Krško nuclear power plant, the Prime Minister said that everything is currently under control and there is no threat.

Plenković announced that he will also discuss the situation with the President of the Management Board of HEP, who is also on Brač, to get the latest information.

"According to information from yesterday's talks with the minister responsible for energy, the situation is under control," he concluded.

He commented on the results of the tourist season, saying that the data for the first seven months show an increase compared to last year.

"The season is better than last year's, which can be seen from fiscalization and traffic. I think that is very good and I hope we have maintained the epithet of competitiveness of Croatian tourism in this tourist season as well," Plenković said.

Average salary to reach 1,600 euros by the end of the mandate

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Tuesday that by the end of the mandate in 2028, the average salary in Croatia will amount to 1,600 euros, and announced that the Government will make a decision on the new minimum wage in October.

"Our ambition is for the average salary to be 1,600 euros at the end of the third mandate. We are already over 1,550 euros now, we are moving towards that goal and it will be achieved without a doubt, which means we plan rationally," Plenković said.

In October, the Government will hold consultations with employers and unions, the Prime Minister announced, after which it will make a decision on the amount of the minimum wage, which currently stands at 1,050 euros gross.

"We have always tried to raise the minimum wage, more than all previous governments, while on the other hand, taking care that this remains sustainable for employers in those sectors where, unfortunately, there are people working for minimum wage," he emphasized.

The Prime Minister points out that in the last ten years, the minimum wage grew by 134 percent, while the average and median salaries grew by more than 100 percent.

"We are also ready to introduce compensatory measures, where the state finances the increase in the minimum wage through its transfers for a period of several months, thus providing enough time for everyone affected to be able to finance these wage increases," he said.

Source: HRT