"In this grave situation every cut of state spending is welcome," Goran Maric of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) told the parliament during a debate on the new budget revision.
He said that "the failure of one company to pay its debts to the state" had a great share in the 6.7 percent drop in Gross Domestic Product.
He pointed the finger at the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP), accusing it of being socially irresponsible as "it often behaves in a way contrary to what it asks from the government".
Maric claimed that some employers were making extra profits and at the same time firing workers during the crisis.
He opposed the idea of increasing Value Added Tax, explaining that such a move could multiply damage.
Milorad Pupovac of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), however, said that a one-off VAT increase could be implemented before a reversal of the economic downturn.
Pupovac proposed the introduction of taxes on property and capital gain as well as an increase in customs duties on luxury goods and higher tax rates on salaries above HRK 20,000.
Josip Friscic said that one should consider possibilities for improving budgetary revenues and set up legal prerequisites for better management of state property.
Ivan Cehok of the Social Liberal Party (HSLS) said he did not like the methodology of small cuts.
"It is pointless to perpetuate a revision of a revised budget revision," Cehok said, suggesting that the government draw up an entirely new budget.
He called for austerity measures and for "sobering up", as Croatia is to face the peak of the crisis.