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In a few days, the media will begin announcing the person of the year. To make this column a bit different, at the end of each year, it ‘proclaims’ the phenomenon of the year. With the effort to ensure that the selection is not entirely predictable. When looking at 2010 in Croatia, the first associations are vans with tinted windows in which the police bring state officials and directors of public companies under investigation for abuse of position, money laundering, corruption… Consequently, it could be said that the ‘person’/phenomenon of the year in Croatia in 2010 was the fight against corruption. The prolonged recession could also compete for the title. However, let it be allowed to declare the phenomenon of the year – lost time!
The year 2010, when it comes to the economic future of the economy and the population, has been wasted. The authorities did not want to face the true truth about the causes of the recession. They did not use the time to decisively abandon the impotent Economic Recovery Program and take other advisors who would create a consistent, decisive, and motivating new economic model.
National disease
The lack of sensitivity to time is in some way a national characteristic. Of course, at the level of certain parts, it is recognized that in this time of increasingly accelerated life and greater complexity, time is a key component of survival and development. Sooner or later, those who live in the market and from it have become aware of this. Those who did not start restructuring and adapting to the prolonged recession in 2009 are now facing significant problems. Business people today are above average aware of the need to make the right decisions at the right time. This is their condition for survival. In contrast, politics is not at all aware of how irreparably it is to lose not a year, but even a month in indecision. It is frightening how easily it is taken that, well, there will be no reforms and painful cuts in 2011, because, my God, it is an election year. Then everything is done to please voters at all costs.
And today, 12 months is an eternity! This is a time in which even seemingly the strongest structures can collapse. Responsible politicians in power would be aware of this and would agree to early elections – so that time is not wasted and decisive actions can be taken in the first half of 2011, not just in 2012. And the responsible opposition should, with all its might, by all permissible means, provoke early elections. Every month of such a state has a cost that is measured in billions of kuna. The government of Jadranka Kosor, when it comes to macroeconomics, is the champion in the discipline of wasting time. As things develop, at some point Croatia will need the IMF’s patronage. And it would be better to call for it in time. For example, in Serbia, the IMF is an excuse for all the tough decisions made in a short time: from freezing salaries to layoffs in the public administration. The consequence is a projected growth of five percent of GDP in 2011.
Postponing reconstruction
How much Prime Minister Kosor, but also the entire ruling coalition, is ‘at odds’ with time is shown by how long it takes for the reconstruction of the government. Instead of doing it the day after the announcement of changes – months of lost time pass. Lost time is particularly evident in the case of large Croatian shipyards. Instead of making a decision, however difficult it may be, at the beginning of the year and realizing it by today, even if it requires clashes with police cordons and shipyard workers – yet another year has been lost. An example of not wasting time is also Mol’s behavior in negotiations with the state regarding the separation of the gas business. After the negotiations (or one of their phases) failed, the Mol representatives did not delay their reaction for months or weeks. After just a few days, they made an offer to acquire eight percent of INA’s shares, which would make them the majority owners of the once Croatian oil company. Decisiveness in a short time is a winning combination. Mol’s negotiating position improved dramatically. Of course, major decisions in a short time carry risks, but those who are not ready and able to ‘handle’ decisiveness, speed, and risks in today’s world will not remain on the scene for long. An interesting penalty is applied to countries that are masters of wasting time. They are, in a way, traveling back in time. Thus, Croatia today, due to ignoring time, has reached the level of GDP of 2006.
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