Ministers of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Sunday accused the former HDZ-led government of neglecting the southern coastal region of Dalmatia and of being responsible for the difficult economic situation there, saying the incumbent government would change that.
They were speaking at a convention of the SDP's Split-Dalmatia County branch in Split.
Entrepreneurship Minister Gordan Maras said that what was happening in the ailing Dalmacijavino and Jadrankamen companies was left behind by the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union), but the incumbent government would solve those problems and make Dalmatia better.
Maras said he would advocate privatisation through employee stock ownership plans, similarly to what was done in the Uljanik shipyard.
Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Branko Grcic said that after deciding to privatise the Brodosplit shipyard, the government was now dealing with the future of the Brodotrogir yard.
"This year we have set aside HRK 150 million for some 20 projects in Split-Dalmatia County as a contribution to this county's economic development," he said, adding that HRK 100 million had been set aside for building the Solin-Kastela-Plano road and another HRK 100 million for the Split-Stobrec-Dugi Rat ring-road.
Health Minister Rajko Ostojic said Split-Dalmatia County was the biggest Croatian county and vowed that its municipalities and towns would get public medical centres.
Labour Minister Mirando Mrsic said the employment stimulation law would "certainly be enforced" and that "those who intend to fish in troubled waters will be punished and feel what it means not to enforce laws."
"Croatia needs two terms of social democracy to set foundations that nobody can change," he said.
Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic said "the HDZ was destroying the economy and must be held to account."
