Croatian citizens feel apathy and hopelessness, economic indicators point to a big failure, and social dialogue and the social policy have yielded to partisan narrow-mindedness and a counterproductive slashing of social entitlements, HUS said in a statement.
The government has not made any move to increase budget revenues to the benefit of citizens or the economy, nothing has come of the announced investments and the economic policy is neo-liberal, taking Croatia further from being a welfare state, the statement said.
HUS criticised the government's relationship with unions and employers, accusing it of being unwilling for dialogue with the social partners, as well as its appointments.
HUS said the increased VAT had precipitated consumption, which in turn had caused a decline in industrial output, adding that the government deserved a failing grade also for the rise in unemployment, the trade deficit and illiquidity, the decline of GDP, foreign direct investments and average salaries, and the rise in inflation with the biggest price hikes in housing, energy sources and food.