Croatia’s deputy PM sacked

Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor sacked her deputy and finance minister yesterday in a government shake-up aimed to revive the economy and complete the process of joining the European Union, she said.

“The main motive is to refresh the government’s team that has to bear the major part of the burden in economic recovery and ending of (EU accession) talks,” Ms Kosor told journalists announcing the move.

The new ministers have to be approved by Parliament when it meets tomorrow, she said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ivan Suker, who has been under attack for his failure to improve the economic situation in the country, will be replaced by economic expert Marina Dalic.

The defence, construction and culture ministers will also be replaced.

Ms Kosor, who faces general elections next year, took the helm of the centre-right government in 2009 after the sudden departure of her predecessor Ivo Sanader.