Left-leaning opposition targets inflation as government defends economic record

SDP President Siniša Hajdaš Dončić and Možemo MP Sandra Benčić held a joint press conference in Makarska on Saturday as part of a two-month nationwide campaign focused on Croatia's persistent inflation and possible measures to address it.

The opposition parties argue that Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's government has failed to adequately protect citizens from rising living costs, accusing it of favouring large retail chains, banks and telecommunications companies.

"When the choice is between banks and citizens, I am on the side of the citizens. When it's between retail chains and citizens, I am on the side of the citizens. When it's between telecom operators and citizens, I am on the side of the citizens," Hajdaš Dončić said.

He questioned whose interests the government represents and claimed the ruling party was closely monitoring the opposition's campaign because it lacks effective solutions to inflation.

The ruling HDZ also held a press conference in Makarska, where party representatives rejected the opposition's criticism and highlighted recent economic trends.

They pointed out that inflation has declined for two consecutive months and argued that government measures are expected to bring Croatia's inflation rate closer to the European average in the near future.

Split-Dalmatia County Prefect Blaženko Boban defended the government's economic policies, saying authorities at both the national and local levels are focused on long-term strategic decisions.

Boban dismissed the SDP and Možemo campaign as a political performance and criticised the opposition's approach.

"I cannot understand why the left continues to repeat the same political performance with the same actors," Boban said, adding that recent election results demonstrate a lack of public support for their policies.

The exchange marks the latest clash between the governing HDZ and opposition parties over the cost of living, an issue expected to remain a key political battleground in the months ahead.