Speaking on behalf of the Croatian People's Party (HNS), Jozo Rados said that the main good side of the proposed budget was the reduction of the fiscal deficit from 15 billion to 10 billion kuna. Thus, Croatia is entering the Maastricht Treaty criteria, the HNS parliamentarian said.

For the first time in 20 years we have a state budget lower than the previous one and we need strength and resolve for that, he added describing the government's proposal as an austere budget also aimed at development.

Damir Kajin of the Istrian Democratic Party (IDS) said that the proposed budget was a realistic basis for the coming years with the aim of preserving Croatia's credit rating.

The IDS parliamentarian called for support to the government in the adoption of the budget and accompanying measures, adding that 2012 would be the toughest year since 1995.

Kajin believes that the government should stick to the proposal and avoid its revisions.

Silvano Hrelja of the Croatian Pensioners' Party (HSU) said that a model for overcoming the crisis must be a compromise, preserving social and development components and having in mind that the revenues and spending of the budget could no longer be drawn up as before.

He welcomed the increase in funds for pensioners and the resumption of pension indexation as of April after two years.

After the clubs of parliamentary parties presented their positions on the budget proposal, Finance Minister Slavko Linic said that the efficiency in the tax revenues collection would have an effect on the increase in the budget revenues, and announced that the bill on financial performance would be sent to parliament next week.