Asked to give a message to the protest organisers, Pankretic said the government was adopting measures to boost the economy and overcome the crisis at every session, adding that there were steps forward, but that the changes were not as swift as one wanted.

"Everyone has the democratic right to protest, but also to decide whether anarchy is better for Croatia, as is the case in some countries in the world, or whether each of us should contribute as much as possible so that we overcome the crisis like some countries around us."

Pankretic voiced confidence that better days were ahead for Croatia, also because it is well-linked with Germany, which has overcome the crisis. "We don't need protests and unrest, but peace and useful proposals which the government would welcome."

Asked about "the government scrapping plans to privatise" the Hrvatske Vode management company, Pankretic said "it never crossed anyone's mind to privatise a national treasure such as waters."

He said that Hrvatske Sume, which is in charge of forest management, was restructured into a company nine years ago, yet every oak tree was still state-owned.

"Someone has evidently managed to manipulate Croatia (about Hrvatske Vode). Unfortunately, reforms and restructuring don't pass muster in Croatia, but they will have to, sooner or later."

Asked if the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) would run in the next parliamentary election independently, Pankretic said a decision was not made yet and that the HSS was not telling that to its partners in the ruling coalition either via the media or in another way.