The Association Voice of Entrepreneurs (UGP) on Wednesday called for the resignation of the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Davor Filipović, stating that he is not sufficiently qualified and does not adequately protect the interests of entrepreneurs, especially small ones.
– UGP expresses deep concern over the unacceptable actions of the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Davor Filipović, and demands his resignation – the statement reads.
It is assessed that Minister Filipović has shown a “chronic lack of expertise and capability” to perform ministerial duties since the beginning of his term.
– Through a series of harmful decisions, Minister Filipović has jeopardized the existence of Croatian entrepreneurs and their families – UGP believes.
A current example, as stated, of the ‘incompetent and potentially corrupt actions of Minister Filipović’ is his involvement in the current affair from HEP, where UGP emphasizes that selling gas at a price lower than the purchase price, as well as its procurement when filling storage and stopping only after everything comes to light, is ‘unacceptable and indicative of established inefficient resource management’.
Among the harmful moves of Minister Filipović, UGP includes the amendments to the trade law concerning the operation of shops on Sundays. The association states that only 16 working Sundays a year will be detrimental, especially for small craftsmen such as florists, souvenir shops, bakeries, and small stores, which on average earn a third of their annual income from working Sundays.
– We must not forget the delayed and misguided reactions of Minister Filipović during the introduction of the euro, the wrangling with retail chains, and the unnecessary spending of public funds on the so-called price comparison application – writes UGP.
