SDP Croatia President Sees Himself as Future Prime Minister

(Patria) - President of SDP Croatia Peđa Grbin announced today that he sees himself as the future Prime Minister.

He responded to articles based on anonymous party sources, according to which he lacks unanimous support within SDP to be the candidate for the next Prime Minister.

"I see myself as the future Prime Minister," stated SDP President Peđa Grbin at a press conference in Križevci, when asked about the alleged demand from some party leadership members for someone else to be the candidate for Prime Minister instead of him, partly due to his low personal rating.

"Are you asking me to comment on what some anonymous sources, without names and surnames, have said? And I stand here with colleagues discussing how to ensure that one of the most vulnerable groups in society lives better in Croatia," he said.

He added that this was the main topic of the Presidency session.

"We discussed and decided to move forward, to fight for the standard of citizens, and for me, as president, to lead this party precisely on these topics we are discussing today, on topics that are social democratic and directly concern the standard and lives of people. Anonymous sources and statements have existed and will continue to exist, we are used to that," Grbin added.

SDP's measures to increase pensions are permanent, stable, and do not depend on the needs of a particular party to boost its election rating, he emphasizes.

"We propose a change in the adjustment method and a permanent supplement to pensions, which should ensure that pensions increase from an average of 500 to 750 euros for an average old-age pension within four years.

Pensions would thus go from the current 40 percent of the average salary to over 50 percent and catch up with the average salary," emphasized the SDP president.

"SDP has the political will to do this, the budget allows it, and instead of bidding with measures that should only be temporary relief, from today to tomorrow, we need a permanent and systemic solution that will enable a dignified life for our pensioners," Grbin stated.