Sabor approves a third term for Andrej Plenković and a new cabinet

Croatia has formed its 16th government since gaining independence. 

The Croatian Parliament on Friday evening voted to confirm the new government, which will be led by current Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of the HDZ party. Prime Minister Plenković presented to the Sabor the program and members of the new coalition government, an alliance between the HDZ and the Homeland Movement. He outlined the main objectives and tasks of his third term, set to span the next four years.

After an all-day, ten-hour debate, the Croatian Parliament voted to support the HDZ and DP coalition government. Out of 141 deputies present, 79 voted in favor, one abstained, and 61 voted against.

The new Government's four-year program is based on five priorities: a successful, vital, just, sustainable, and sovereign Croatia.

Plenković's government aims to raise the average net salary to 1,600 euros and the minimum gross salary to 1,250 euros, as well as to create 125,000 new jobs. It also plans to provide 135 million euros in economic relief by reducing non-tax and parafiscal levies, and to encourage private research and development projects with over 250 million euros in funding. Additionally, six billion euros will be invested in railway infrastructure over the next ten years to modernize railway transport.

It also aims to increase the amounts of the child bonus for all beneficiary groups, and the minimum student wage to 7.81 euros. In addition, by the end of the term, Plenković and his team want to raise pensions by at least 30 percent, bringing the average pension to at least 750 euros, as well as increasing social benefits by 30 percent.

The government also plans to cut waiting lists in healthcare for all medical testing by an additional 30% and increase agricultural output by an additional 30% to a value of 3.8 billion euros.

The government also plans to reduce waiting lists for all medical tests by 30% and increase agricultural output by 30% to reach a value of 3.8 billion euros.