Ćorić faces parliamentary scrutiny as Plenković reshuffles cabinet

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković is reshuffling his cabinet, with new appointments appearing before parliamentary committees this week.

Outgoing Finance Minister Marko Primorac appeared before the European Affairs Committee on Wednesday as a candidate for vice president of the European Investment Bank. Meanwhile, Tomislav Ćorić, the prime minister’s nominee to succeed Primorac, was questioned by the Finance Committee.

Ćorić is stepping down from his post as vice governor of the Croatian National Bank.

Presenting his nominee, Prime Minister Plenković described Ćorić as both a seasoned politician and an expert, noting that he served in his first and second governments.

“He has all the professional qualifications, having come from the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb and its Finance Department. He could not be better suited,” Plenković said.

Addressing the committee, Ćorić praised his predecessors, former finance ministers Zdravko Marić and Marko Primorac.

“I am confident that for anyone serving as finance minister, it will be very difficult to perform as well as Mr. Marić and Mr. Primorac. This will be a major challenge,” he said.

Opposition MPs expressed skepticism about Ćorić’s suitability for the post. Nikola Grmoja of the Most party pointed out that Plenković had recently criticized the central bank for failing to curb inflation.

“Today, he is appointing the vice governor of that same institution as finance minister,” Grmoja said.

Opposition lawmakers also highlighted that Ćorić left government to join the central bank amid several corruption scandals. SDP MP Mirela Ahmetović cited Ćorić’s text messages with a former HDZ member later convicted of corruption, allegations raised by his former deputy at the Environment and Energy Ministry, and his alleged involvement in a natural gas trading affair.

The ruling HDZ dismissed the criticism as hypocritical and voiced confidence in Ćorić’s abilities.

“Croatia is punching above its weight in the EU, and you are envious,” said HDZ MP Mate Pavić.

Opposition MPs noted that Plenković’s previous finance ministers had largely stayed above the fray of HDZ corruption scandals and had performed their duties effectively, warning that Ćorić’s appointment could jeopardize that record.

“The prime minister is making a big mistake. Instead of continuing along those same lines, he is destroying everything,” said GLAS MP Anka Mrak Taritaš.

Independent MP Nino Raspudić questioned why Plenković did not instead nominate Ćorić for the European Investment Bank role and retain Primorac as finance minister.

“Is it more important to serve as deputy prime minister and finance minister in very turbulent times, or to rush off to Brussels to be one of eight bank vice presidents?” Raspudić asked, adding that the decision reflected the government’s priorities.

Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on Ćorić’s nomination for finance minister on Thursday.