Croatia Opposition Parties Move to Oust Deputy PM

Croatian opposition parties are demanding Minister of Economy Martina Dalic's resignation over her role in the crisis in Agrokor - the debt-ridden food giant whose bankruptcy threatens to undermine the financial stability of the country.

"This is a big step. For the first time, we have an agreement and we are going for the no-confidence vote," said Nikola Grmoja, from the Bridge of Independent Lists, MOST, the third strongest party in parliament, which called on other opposition parties to join the initiative.

On February 15, the minister testified before parliament's Economy Committee and briefed lawmakers on the state of the company. She also assumed responsibility for the wording of the so-called "Lex Agrokor," the special law that placed Agrokor, the biggest private company in the country, under state-appointed management.

For months, the public has speculated on who wrote the special law that has been criticised by the opposition parties. They claim the law suits the private interests of predatory investors over those of stricken suppliers.

The government appointed an experienced business figure, Ante Ramljak, as the state's "extraordinary manager" of Agrokor last April.

However, in January, the daily Jutarnji list revealed a lucrative business deal between Ramljak's former company, Texto Management and Agrokor. Ramljak resigned over claims about conflicts of interests and the government appointed a new manager.

The opposition insists that a change in the crisis manager is not enough, and that the Minister of Economy should also leave because of her political responsibility.

In an interview with Vecernji list, on February 25, Dalic said the opposition should be thankful they...