Croatian small businesses and opposition parties protest new anti‑inflation tax measures

More than 30,000 signatures were collected in a petition by craftsmen and private‑rental operators who say the government's anti‑inflation package unfairly raises taxes on small entrepreneurs. Representatives plan to meet Finance Minister Tomislav Ćorić to demand answers on why the proposed tax increase could reach 10 % annually and to request a dialogue on the measures.

Opposition parties SDP and Možemo joined the criticism, arguing that the ministers are disconnected from citizens' hardships. They highlighted soaring food prices, which are above the EU average, and said the anti‑inflation steps do not address structural problems. Leaders such as Sandra Benčić, Siniša Hajdaš Dončić, Damir Bakić and Boris Lalovac called for greater domestic food and energy production, better use of EU recovery funds, and a housing fund for families. Both the business groups and the opposition demand the government revise the tax proposals and adopt policies that protect consumers and small enterprises.