Plenković: Milanović is a cancer on Croatian political life

(Patria) - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated on Tuesday, ahead of the parliamentary debate on his impeachment initiated by the SDP, that all previous debates on the impeachment of any government member were misguided, and this one seeking his removal from the head of government will be too.

"We are always ready for a debate and we will not defend ourselves, but rather talk about what we are doing," Plenković replied when asked if he was ready for the impeachment debate. He said he did not believe this debate could jeopardize the election of constitutional judges, adding, "it depends on how malicious they are".

"Nothing is agreed upon regarding the constitutional judges. When it is agreed, it is agreed, but not yet," said the prime minister, also answering that he did not know if all ten Constitutional Court judges would be elected on Friday.

When asked if there were plans to vote on the activities of NSATU on Friday, he replied that everything depended on how the debate would go today.

Asked how much more difficult today's debate would be because it was prompted by the arrest of a minister, he said that all previous impeachment debates were equally misguided, and this one would be too, adding that with a majority of 76 votes, he 'works without problems'.

He assessed President Zoran Milanović, who submitted signatures for his presidential candidacy this morning and his statement that he will "continue to oppose one party, one man, and protect the Constitution from attacks," as incredibly smart from a constitutional violator.


"He is a cancer on Croatian political life, there is no doubt about that, a balance of zero, five years of no achievements, no program for the future, nothing. What would people vote for? So, you have done nothing and you plan to do nothing. You violate the Constitution and pretend to defend Croats from those who do good for people and the economy. That really must be a logical feat for someone to find a reason to vote for him. I admire it," Plenković said.

He also denied any conflict between him and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić, noting that "only those who want to nibble within the HDZ have conflicts, and while we are winning, they are scavenging for whatever they can get."