What is government's role in Agrokor fiasco?
The scandal over the huge debt food giant Agrokor accumulated under the supervision of the state is turning into a political thriller: The company's boss is facing investigative custody and has left the country. The government is trying to block the establishment of a parliamentary commission tasked with investigating the affair. A sign of naked fear, some commentators. Others are concerned that the decisions are no longer being made in Croatia.
Government quaking with fear
The panic over a parliamentary commission of inquiry shows how explosive the case is for the governing HDZ party, Jutarnji list writes:
“The vehemence with which the HDZ has resisted a parliamentary enquiry into possible political involvement and responsibility for Agrokor's growing mountain of debt and the stubbornness of Prime Minister Plenković and his puppet [Parliament Speaker] Jandroković reveal a nervous troop desperately seeking protection in the face of impending disaster. ... But if the HDZ and its helpers really succeed in preventing the establishment of a parliamentary commission of inquiry, a resulting anti-HDZ coalition could be far more dangerous to them.”
The state has no say anymore
New reports of irregularities and evidence of ties between political and industry make Novi list fear that the Croatian state has long since sold off its sovereignty to foreign companies:
“When the control of a company that is put on a par with the state is transferred to a foreign hedge fund, when the rights of lien on real estate are passed on to an agent in Hong Kong, then Croatia might as well just wipe its rear end with the 'Lex Agrokor'. It can send the justice authorities, the parliament and the president into retirement. They can pack up their things and leave the country.”