Maras: Due to ‘lex Perković’ we will not lose European money

In today’s show ‘Nedjeljom u 2’, Gordan Maras, the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Crafts, commented on the expulsion of Aleksandra Kolarić from the SDP. Maras stated that Kolarić was not expelled from the party due to her stance on ‘lex Perković’, but because she harmed the party.

– It is very rare for someone to use the media to communicate with the party in that way. We communicate a lot within the party, everyone with everyone, and Kolarić is the only case of such communication through the media – said Maras, who believes it is unacceptable for Kolarić to compare the SDP with Sanader’s HDZ as she has thus ‘compared them to criminals’.

Maras also emphasized that this is not the first such outburst from Aleksandra Kolarić, given that as a PR expert she has a special approach to the media and contacts.

The minister also stated that it is not true that he initiated her expulsion from the party, adding that he advocated for the discussion to be postponed after the SDP elections in Zagreb. He also mentioned that her expulsion was proposed by Prime Minister Milanović himself at the party’s Presidency.

– Perhaps there is something to the fact that we decided at the Government not to engage PR agencies. She has her private story against Zoran Milanović, but that case has nothing to do with Perković – said Maras, who believes that due to lex Perković, Croatia will not lose any money, despite the announced sanctions.

– We will not lose money, no one will give us enhanced supervision. I am ready to personally answer if Croatia suffers any damage – said Maras, adding that he is convinced that in the end there will be no consequences for Croatia.

Maras also announced that he will abolish the obligation of membership in the Crafts and Croatian Chamber of Commerce as he is not satisfied with the work of these institutions.

– We will allow their membership to decide for themselves whether they want to be members of the mentioned chambers or not – said Maras, citing Great Britain as an example where membership in such chambers is voluntary.