State Secretary for Demography in the Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy, Marin Strmota, on Tuesday at a press conference after the meeting of the Council for Demographic Revitalization of Croatia, submitted his resignation, calling the Government’s demographic policy measures “folklore and unserious,” in front of the surprised Minister Nada Murganić, who commented on the resignation as “the impatience of a young man.”
After Minister Murganić presented the conclusions from the 4th meeting of the Council, Strmota stood before the journalists and agreed with the journalists’ assessment that the same conclusions were presented three months ago, after the 3rd meeting of the Council.
– Exactly. I agree with you, and this is a big folklore. After a year and four months in the Government, as a demographer, a young man, I believe this is not serious enough. As of today, I am resigning from the position of State Secretary because the state is dying. This is the worst state in Croatia since the state has existed, and to talk so unseriously about this, I as a young man, as a citizen of the Republic of Croatia, a father of two children, an unemployed wife, and parents, do not believe that anything will be resolved with this approach. Thank you very much, said Strmota in one breath and left the room.
Minister Murganić responded to a journalist’s question that she did not know Strmota would resign and assessed it as “the impatience of a young man.” She emphasized that negative indicators did not arise during the current Government’s time.
– However, there is indeed pressure in the public, there is a desire to do more, in front of all of us, she admitted.
Journalists asked Murganić if she sees herself in the position of minister until the end of the Government’s mandate.
– I am really trying to do my job responsibly, professionally, diligently, and all the rest will be judged by those who elected me, the minister replied.
Journalists asked her how surprised she was by the resignation of the State Secretary, as they do not remember such a thing happening in such a way, and Murganić said that she does not remember such a thing either, but that the resignation may not be final.
I do not remember either, but that does not mean it is final. I believe that our demographer, Dr. Marin Strmota, really cares about the progress of the state, as do all of us. But youth and temperament and perhaps certain pressures led to this reaction. All of this can still end well because this area is very important to him. This is his profession, he has specialized in it, he has a doctorate, and this is certainly a drive that will still be in the service of what we, who have taken on this responsibility, have committed to, the minister assessed.
