The national budget plan has become a subject of intense debate due to its size and the lack of investments in key public areas, despite the growing expenditure. The upcoming election seems to be the main driving force behind this inflation, with politicians boosting the budget to gain political advantage.
In parliamentary debates, opposition leaders expressed their skepticism towards the priorities of the budget presented by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Finance Minister Marko Primorac. Božo Petrov of Most described it as a poorly directed movie, arguing that there was a lack of focus on issues directly impacting families, pensioners, and employees.
Political figures such as Peđa Grbin and Marijan Pavliček echoed these sentiments, expressing concerns about the substantial deficit and the apparent lack of attention to crucial areas like housing, healthcare, and energy renovation. This led to criticism directed at the government’s priorities and its commitment to sound fiscal management.
Despite these discussions, there seems to be a consensus among opposition leaders regarding the inflated nature of the budget, leading to questions about its practical objectives and its effectiveness in tackling social and economic challenges. The criticisms were punctuated by strong rhetoric and impassioned disagreements, indicating that this is a contentious issue.