Parisian Black Friday Over Europe

Although it was hard to imagine that anything could overshadow the events and reshuffling after the elections in Croatia, it happened on Black Friday, November 13, in Paris.

The terrorist attacks that struck Parisians, claimed yet another Croatian life, bringing the total to two killed at the hands of the so-called Islamic State. First Tomislav Salopek, now Milko Jozić, and one of the attackers in Paris passed through Croatia as a migrant. We remember how any thoughts that there could be a terrorist among the migrants were completely dismissed and ridiculed. Dubious analysts on the waves of state radio swore a few months ago that the so-called Islamic State would not export terrorists in any case but rather invite people to settle in the areas under its control! Now, the technical Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Vesna Pusić, stated at the beginning of the migrant influx that there was no danger because terrorists travel in business class on airplanes, not in leaky boats across the Mediterranean. Well, one has (and one is too many, and where there is one, why wouldn’t there be more among nearly 400,000 who have passed through here) apparently crossed ‘the little shoe’ through Croatia. Two Croats have been executed, Europe and the world are on alert after Paris, Slovenia is also raising the wire, and it is expected that under public pressure, borders will begin to close in succession and migrants will be sent back to the countries they passed through. It is clear that Croatia must abandon the stance that this is only a humanitarian crisis.

Numerous gloomy clouds that have gathered over the country have been joined by the ‘post-election’ one. All possible and impossible situations and resolutions have been discussed countless times over the days. In short: public-secret agreements and discussions, one expulsion, and a new round of negotiations await us in the coming days. Some do not consider the situation in which we have never found ourselves particularly dangerous. For example, Belgium did not have a government for 589 days, which is the longest of all, and in Italy, it is normal for governments to change frequently. However, it would be best if we could avoid such outcomes with a quick agreement. A technical government cannot make important and timely decisions (now it is clear why the institution of a president is needed), and the economy is in difficulties that could deepen even further if political uncertainty is prolonged.             

The conversion of loans from Swiss francs to euros continues. The Constitutional Court did not accept the temporary measure requested by eight banks and four individuals. They sought to halt the conversion until the court finally rules on what will happen with the laws on credit institutions and consumer lending. The Minister of Finance, Boris Lalovac, is satisfied with the outcome, stating that the banks speculated and included in the annexes in fine print ‘something that will scare citizens’.   

The tenth procurement conference was organized by the Croatian Association of Procurement Activities and the business weekly Lider. Vlado Prosenik, the CEO of Efekt Pro, emphasized in his address that savings should be the most important aspect of procurement and that auctions are also significant. Additionally, the company should be structured so that procurement is not the last link in the chain and that there is a connection between departments. Transparency is also necessary, Prosenik said, as it is always thought that procurement is hiding something and is not efficient. Davor Bilman, a business trainer, spoke about procurement as an art, emphasizing that one should never go into negotiations if one cannot leave at any moment. Good preparation and the application of appropriate negotiation techniques are also necessary. If an agreement is not reached, Bilman said, the doors must remain open.