A national budget plan has sparked debates among political leaders, with concerns about its size and priorities. At the forefront of these discussions is the upcoming election and how the budget appears to be inflated for pre-election purposes. In parliamentary debates surrounding the budget presentation by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Finance Minister Marko Primorac, opposition leaders expressed skepticism towards the budget’s priorities.

Opposition leaders argue that the budget is twice as big as 2016’s and has been disproportionately boosted due to election ambitions. Božo Petrov of Most described the budget as a poorly directed movie, criticizing the apparent lack of focus on issues directly impacting families, pensioners, and employees.

Political figures such as Peđa Grbin and Marijan Pavliček echo these sentiments, expressing concerns about the substantial deficit and the apparent lack of attention to crucial areas like housing, healthcare, and energy renovation. This leads to criticism directed at the government’s priorities and its commitment to sound fiscal management.

Amidst these discussions, there seems to be a consensus among opposition leaders regarding the inflated nature of the budget, leading to questions about its practical objectives and its effectiveness in tackling social and economic challenges. The criticisms are punctuated by strong rhetoric and impassioned disagreements, indicating the contentious nature of the budget debates.