Marking International Youth Day, HDZ Youth released data on record employment and a series of measures for independence, while Prime Minister Plenković responded to opposition criticism regarding waste in Gospić.
The Youth of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) assessed on Wednesday, on the occasion of International Youth Day, that youth unemployment in Croatia is at historically low levels. In a statement, they emphasized the need to continue implementing measures that facilitate young people's path to independence, highlighting as priorities increasing the supply of affordable housing and further financial relief for those already in the labor market.
"This year's theme, 'Different Contexts, Shared Aspirations,' shows that regardless of the different circumstances we live in, young people share the same goals - quality education, secure employment, affordable housing, and the opportunity for independent living," the HDZ Youth stated.
The youth organization of the ruling party highlights continuous investments in student and pupil welfare. They note that all primary school students are provided with free meals, and the state finances textbooks and transportation. Around 13,500 socio-economic and STEM scholarships are awarded annually. "Since 2016, more than 150,000 scholarships have been awarded to students, with an increase in both their number and amount," the statement reads.
They also reminded of investments in student dormitories in 18 Croatian cities and the renovation of 34 faculties and scientific institutions in Zagreb. As important benefits for students, they highlighted the minimum student hourly wage of €6.56 and the increase in the tax-free threshold for student work to €12,000, along with the introduction of a minimum fee for student work.
They also addressed the financial situation of young people who are already employed. "It is also important to provide financial relief to young people who have already entered the labor market," the statement says. More than 200,000 young people are eligible for a refund of income tax, with those under 25 receiving a 100% refund and those aged 26 to 30 receiving a 50% refund.
The HDZ Youth emphasize that employment in Croatia is at its highest level ever, while the number of registered unemployed young people has fallen to around 14,000. As an indicator of the rising standard of living, they cited the fact that the average net salary in May 2026 amounted to €1,552.
The statement also reminds of allocations for family infrastructure. €530 million has been secured for kindergartens, which should result in around 44,000 new places. Two billion euros are being invested in primary schools and creating conditions for single-shift classes, and the parental leave allowance has been increased to €3,000.
As one of the biggest challenges for young people, they singled out affordable housing. "It is important to increase the supply of affordable apartments, develop long-term rental, and make it easier for young people to resolve one of the biggest issues on the path to independent living," they said. In this regard, they pointed to the National Housing Policy Plan until 2030, worth two billion euros, and the measure of tax refund on the purchase of a first property.
In a separate post on social media platform X the day before, on August 11, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković addressed the waste problem in Gospić and opposition criticism. "The Government of the Republic of Croatia approaches the waste situation in Gospić seriously and responsibly, unlike the opposition, which spreads panic with disinformation in an attempt to create a fabricated emergency situation," he wrote.
Plenković announced the acceleration of the remediation of a total of 37,000 tons of waste and said that all those who committed criminal acts will be held accountable, and the state will also seek compensation for remediation costs. He added that, according to measurements by the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), there is no threat to drinking water in Lika, and the public will be regularly informed about water quality.
"Just as we have solved problems related to various types of waste so far, everyone will be maximally engaged around the waste issue in Gospić as well - but calmly, rationally, seriously, professionally, and responsibly, without hysteria, panic, and drama," Plenković concluded, adding that the ruling coalition is stable and that the opposition's initiative to impeach the Government will end like many before it.
