If the HZZO leaves the state treasury, the state purse could be in trouble, Lalovac told Nova TV on Saturday. "Twenty billion leaving the treasury, that would certainly impact budget liquidity," he said, adding that another delay was a better option.
He said the HZZO could exit the treasury if HRK 1 billion was saved in the health sector through structural measures.
Lalovac went on to say that he would ask everyone to make cuts because monthly interest was HRK 1 billion. "Everyone has room to make cuts, everyone. We no longer have the right to spend the amount that we can't even borrow."
Asked if salaries would be cut, he said the ministers would decide on that. He reiterated that unless changes were made, all salaries, not only in the health sector, education, the Finance Ministry, the military and the police, but all would be questionable in the long term.
As for critics who said that people's health would come under threat, the minister said health remained a priority. "But someone must explain why health costs have risen six billion kuna in six years. Do you have better service for said six billion? Health costs are higher than in 2006."
(EUR 1 = HRK 7.6)