Croatia sees surge in special advisors as opposition decries bloated public sector

In Croatia, the number of special advisors attached to ministries has risen to 63, double the count four years ago, according to opposition figure Marijana Puljak of the Centre party. She criticised the ruling HDZ for expanding politically appointed positions across the public sector and called for eliminating at least 10,000 redundant posts and creating a public register of officials.

In Serbia, the civil movement URA urged the government to adopt an anti‑crisis package amid rising fuel and food prices. The group demanded measures such as capping fuel excise duties, raising pensions by €40 without extra budget burden, and limiting prices of basic food items, warning that continued price hikes threaten household living standards.