Parliament votes confidence in Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's third Government

(Patria) - After a day-long debate, the Croatian Parliament voted in the 16th Government of Croatia since its independence, headed by Andrej Plenković.

Plenković previously presented the program and members of the new coalition Government, agreed upon by HDZ and the Homeland Movement, to the Parliament. He outlined the main guidelines and tasks of his third Government during its four-year term.

The Government was supported by 79 MPs, with 61 voting against and 1 abstaining.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Government members took an oath before the MPs, pledging to perform their duties conscientiously and honorably, to respect the Constitution, laws, and legal order, and to strive for the overall progress of the country.

The Parliament was also presented with the new Government's four-year Program on Friday, which is based on five priorities: a successful, vital, just, sustainable, and sovereign Croatia.

In its new term, Plenković's Government announces an average net salary of 1600 euros, a minimum gross salary of 1250 euros, and the creation of 125,000 new jobs. It also foresees a reduction of an additional 135 million euros in non-tax and parafiscal levies for the economy, and the promotion of private research and development projects worth over 250 million euros. Six billion euros will be invested in railway infrastructure for the modernization of rail transport over the next ten years.

By 2030, according to the new Government's program, a kindergarten place will be secured for every child, and single-shift classes will be implemented from the 2027/28 school year. Plenković's third Government also plans to double the one-time financial support for newborns, grant one year of pensionable service to mothers for each child born, and increase financial compensation for the use of parental leave rights for employed and self-employed parents.

The amounts of child benefits for all user groups will also be increased, as will the minimum student hourly wage to 7.81 euros. Furthermore, by the end of its term, pensions should increase by at least 30 percent, with the average pension amounting to at least 750 euros, and social benefits will also increase by 30 percent.

The Government announces a further 30% reduction in healthcare waiting lists for all examinations, and an increase in the value of agricultural production by an additional 30%, to a value of 3.8 billion euros.