Grabar-Kitarović on conflict of interest accusations: I would do the same again

The Commission for Deciding on Conflict of Interest announced today that proceedings will be initiated against Kolinda Grabar Kitarović because during the elections she received 1,167,573 kuna from the state as compensation for promotion. The untaxed funds allocated are considered taxable income that must be calculated and paid, along with tax obligations, and reported to the Tax Administration, Croatian media write, as reported by Patria.

Grabar-Kitarović gave this money to HDZ to avoid paying a 40 percent tax. The Commission believes that Kolinda acted as a party member, which she was not allowed to do.

The Croatian president issued an official statement on the matter:

- The President of the Republic of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, believes that the Commission for Conflict of Interest, with today's decision to initiate proceedings "due to a violation of the principles of holding public office and the credibility of the President of the Republic," and not due to a conflict of interest, has exceeded its authority and entered the sphere of political arbitration.

This is supported by the fact that this decision was made, coincidentally, at the same session where a decision was made regarding an obvious case of conflict of interest of a high-ranking official of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.

The President of the Republic is proud that all funds were legally donated to those most in need, even though she could have kept them for herself.

Since she did not compromise the principles of holding public office in any way, the President of the Republic will do the same again - the President's Office announced.