Minister Filipović on price increases in Croatia: We expect prices to decrease, we will protect citizens

(Patria) - Due to price increases after the introduction of the euro, the Croatian Minister of Economy Davor Filipović gathered representatives of retail chains today. While the representatives of the retail chains left without words after the meeting, the minister stated sharply that the price increases will not pass and that the Government will use all means at its disposal if forced.

"Inflation is currently 13.5 percent, and when you look at the structure of inflation, you see that the increase in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices has the biggest impact. In the COVID crisis, the Government secured wages for 800,000 workers in the private sector, and in the unprecedented energy crisis, we secured reasonable prices for both electricity and fuel, and retail chains are raising prices month after month. And now, in this situation when we introduced the euro, they are raising prices and trying to deceive citizens. That is something that will not pass for them," said Minister Davor Filipović.

"What I told the retail chains, and what I am telling everyone who will try to exploit this situation of switching to the euro to profit from citizens, that will not pass for them, and the Government will do everything to protect the standard of living of citizens," he added.

"I asked if any of them could tell me who among them lowered prices when fuel prices fell. No one answered that. I told them that electricity in Slovenia is almost 60 percent more expensive than here, where were the significant price reductions here? I did not get an answer. We expect them to start lowering prices. Enough of this story that someone raised prices before them," says the minister.

He confirmed that prices have increased, even though retailers deny it.

"The State Inspectorate and all other institutions will do their job to protect citizens. We acted in good faith, considering that they are our partners. I believe that today's messages will fall on fertile ground. The Government has mechanisms to protect citizens. Everything is on the table, from blacklists to freezing a wide range of products," Minister Filipović concluded.