The Parliament Has Spoken! With 76 votes in favor and 56 against, Nataša Mikuš Žigman is the new Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds. Will she truly care about every corner of Croatia, from urban centers to remote mountainous municipalities and islands? Time will tell, but her statement promises that every part of Croatia deserves its place in regional development.
Who is Nataša Mikuš Žigman? Before becoming minister, Mikuš Žigman served as State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy and has over 20 years of experience in the public sector. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković highlighted that she is the right person to manage the complex processes of EU fund utilization, being well acquainted with how Croatia has used these funds from the pre-accession phase onward.
What did she promise? During her parliamentary hearing, Mikuš Žigman emphasized that she sees her role not just as a political duty but as a responsibility to ensure that every corner of Croatia gets a chance to develop. Transparency and responsible spending of EU funds are her priorities, with no exceptions. Croatia must be a country of opportunities for all its citizens, she declared.
Why the change? The new minister was appointed three months after Šime Erlić left the position due to his candidacy and victory in local elections in Zadar. In the meantime, the ministry was led by State Secretary Zrinka Raguž. Mikuš Žigman is the third new cabinet member in Prime Minister Plenković’s third term.
Will anything really change? Given her experience and the support of the ruling majority, expectations are high. But whether Croatia will finally manage to evenly develop all its regions, from Slavonia to the Adriatic islands, remains to be seen. EU funds are a huge opportunity but also a big challenge for transparency and efficiency.
Conclusion Nataša Mikuš Žigman has been given the chance to prove that regional development is not just a buzzword. Parliament has entrusted her, and now it’s up to her to show that every corner of Croatia will truly get its place under the sun. Will we finally see real changes, or will it all remain promises? Follow along and share your thoughts — what do you think about the new minister and her chances?
And hey, if you have a good joke about politicians and EU funds, don’t hesitate to share — laughter is half the cure, and politics often needs a good dose of humor!
