Lovrin made the statement during Question Time in parliament, answering a question by Kruno Peronja of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), who wanted to know how many deputies had reported in their declarations of assets moveable assets such as watches, furniture, jewellery, etc.
The minister said that this issue was not within her jurisdiction, but added that some officials had complained about unclear declaration forms.
Social Democrat Nenad Stazic asked PM Ivo Sanader when he intended to "replace the ministers who do not meet criteria set by the government spokesman".
Stazic was referring to government spokesman Ratko Macek's statement that people who do not have a house, two cars and savings of at least EUR50,000 should not be in politics. The statement was carried by some media.
The government is actually saying that people with low income and those who bled for Croatia and were left without their jobs, while murky privatisation dealings were going on, should not be in politics, Stazic said.
Sanader responded that Stazic was true to his imaginative style which contributed to a funny and relaxed atmosphere in the parliament, but was unfortunately not grounded in reality.
He claimed that Macek did not make the statement carried by the media.