Prime Minister Andrej Plenković yesterday attended the opening of Podravka's new tomato processing plant in Varaždin. He praised all Podravka employees, especially those who participated in the project of producing Croatian tomatoes that will be used in Podravka products. He emphasized that this is a modernization of production that employs 270 people.

"An investment of this type brings new jobs, and with the increase in salaries in Podravka over the past years, it improves the economic and social standard of employees and their families," he said.

Along with the pasta factory that opened in January with an investment of over 14 million euros, and the final preparations for a new logistics and distribution center worth around 45 million euros, as well as investments in Slovenia within the Žito group, Podravka group's total investments this year amount to around 100 million euros.

"This represents a significant contribution to agricultural production and higher quality products that Podravka markets domestically and in 70 foreign markets," Plenković said.

He expressed satisfaction with Podravka's acquisition of Fortenova's agricultural segment, highlighting that this acquisition demonstrates Podravka's economic strength and ability to manage important companies for Croatian agriculture, especially for Slavonia.

"By consolidating agricultural production in this part of Croatia, jobs and long-term stability are ensured, and most importantly, Croatian land remains in the hands of a Croatian company," he added.

Plenković emphasized that such investments show that the company is potent and strong and has the financial capacity for expansion. This has resulted in the growth of the stock value and the payment of dividends to Podravka shareholders.

Regarding the acquisition, the prime minister reminded of the context of the threat of Agrokor's collapse and the state's reaction that enabled the company to survive. He pointed out that the starting position was difficult, but the law on extraordinary administration allowed survival without cost to the state budget.

"That law enabled the company to survive, workers retained their wages, and family farms and suppliers were paid in full," he said.

He added that financial institutions, which were creditors, forgave 3 billion euros of debts to Agrokor, allowing the company's restructuring.

In a complex legal process, former creditors became co-owners, and Russian banks, which were sanctioned due to aggression against Ukraine, lost access to funds until circumstances change.

Plenković highlighted the transformative effect of the entire operation, marking the transition to a new way of conducting Croatian economic business.

Parallel to this process, the government led Croatia towards the euro area, the Schengen area, and the European Stability Mechanism, ensuring economic growth and the highest employment ever.

"These are Croatian realities today," Plenković said.

He considered the criticism of the Agrokor process as politicization, pointing out that the business world expresses satisfaction with the achieved results.

During his stay in Varaždin, the prime minister also met with County Prefect Anđelko Stričak and Mayor Neven Bosilj. He expressed satisfaction with the meeting and emphasized that such meetings help the government gain insight into the county's priorities.

Currently, an investment cycle worth around 200 million euros is underway in Varaždin County, and the government will support all important projects.

Regarding the appointment of state secretaries, Plenković said that it is a routine matter that has become a media topic due to a lack of other news.

"We will appoint them tomorrow, everything is fine," he said.

He also commented on the process of electing new Constitutional Court judges, saying that 52 candidates applied, which is a response to those who think the Constitutional Court is not needed.

Regarding President Milanović's statements, Plenković responded by reminding of his behavior and violation of the Constitution.

Instead of condemning such behavior, false hysteria is being pumped up in the public political space, said Plenković, adding that Croatia is currently in its best situation ever, with high employment and GDP growth.

The prime minister concluded that it would be better if Milanović behaved like a president, not like a political wild man.

An agreement on the Constitutional Court judges is expected in the fall, as the current judges are in office until December, Plenković said. He condemned the qualifications about the Constitutional Court as a "parking lot" for former officials, emphasizing that these are serious people with serious careers.

The criteria for selecting new judges are expertise, knowledge, and potential, concluded the prime minister.