Croats Ready to Support Unpopular Measures to Exit the Crisis

Unpopular measures to exit the crisis would be accepted by 57 percent of the 1,442 participants in a survey conducted by the portal MojPosao at the end of November and the beginning of December.

These respondents are willing to support measures that would be consistent and comprehensive, provided they guarantee the sustainability of the social system and are adapted to the real capabilities of the state, the portal’s statement says. In the same survey last year, 5 percent fewer respondents were ready for unpopular measures, i.e., the reduction of health and pension benefits, layoffs in public services, limiting growth and reducing salaries, abolishing free textbooks, and similar measures.

This year, respondents showed greater determination than last year, with 41 percent willing to accept all measures, compared to 35 percent last year. They justify this by the desire for their children to be better off in 10 years and send a message to the authorities: "Let it finally begin." They believe that public spending "kills" the country’s development, and its reduction would lead to exiting the crisis by redirecting funds into development. They also add that the burden on employees in public services is too great, while the private sector, which is the only one generating income, is on the brink of collapse.

Respondents also emphasize the urgent need to conduct a review of privileged pensions and "invented" jobs in the state and public sector, and to take a strong stance against corruption and nepotism. Delaying measures only prolongs the agony. Almost the same number of respondents are willing to accept only some measures – 16 percent this year compared to 17 percent last year.

Most of them emphasize that it is necessary to reduce the excessive number of employees in state and public services, and to limit or even reduce salaries until the crisis is over, while pensions and healthcare should not be touched. They advocate for the abolition of unnecessary agencies, privileged pensions, and benefits for state officials. The number of respondents who still do not want to accept unpopular measures to exit the crisis has fallen this year to 43 percent compared to 48 percent last year. They mainly argue that the measures would most affect the socially most vulnerable, who are least to blame for the poor state of the country. They emphasize that they have been contributing for these "privileges" throughout their entire working life, which are already minimal, thus they have paid for their use. (H)