Croatia Today Late Edition 16/10/2026

European leaders discuss the EU's multiannual budget in Brussels. The Irish presidency's proposal receives criticism from all sides. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says EU member states cannot afford to pay such high contributions to Brussels. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković says Croatia is interested in a quality budget and not adhering to random deadlines. Environmental Protection and Green Transition Minister Marija Vučković says existing deadlines in the Gospić clean-up will be respected despite the halting of proceedings due to the withdrawal of one company from the consortium selected in the tender.