PM wins in election battle between premier and president of Croatia

The Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković and the country’s President Zoran Milanović contended with each other in the early elections for parliament in the country. Plenković, who is vying for a third term of office, stands accused of corruption, whereas the Eurosceptic president Milanović dumbfounded everyone with his unexpected decision to take part in the election while flatly refusing to stand down as president, public service TV BNT reports. The results show the election was won by Plenković’s ruling centre-right Croatian Democratic Union, winning 61 seats in the 151 seat parliament, hrt,hr reports. But that is not enough for it to form a government independently, and Andrej Plenković declared he would begin efforts for the formation of a parliamentary majority. The leading opposition party - Zoran Milanović’s Social Democratic Party, with its coalition partners, wins 42 seats. Third comes the nationalist Homeland Movement with 41 seats. The Croatian Democratic Union has dominated politics in Croatia since 1991 when the country declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The party has ruled Croatia independently or in coalition for a total of 26 years.

Montenegro and Ukraine liberalize freight transport

Ukraine and Montenegro have reached agreement on the liberalization of all freight transport between the two countries as of 1 June, 2024, the official website of the government of Ukraine has announced.

Our goal is to have no countries left on the map of Europe with which we have a permit system for transportation, and for our transport companies to be able to deliver goods to any country without additional restrictions, the announcement reads. The parties also discussed the possibility of non-parity passenger transportation by Ukrainian companies. The parties have agreed that if the Montenegrin carrier refuses to operate the route, the Ukrainian company can operate the route independently, the announcement reads further. In addition to freight transport, the Ministry’s team is working to develop regular and irregular bus services between the two states. The opening of the first regular route from Kyiv to the Montenegrin Adriatic resort of Budva is expected soon.

Transport strike paralyzes Greece for 24 hours

Greeks have put up a united front in the fight for their rights. A 24-hour strike by railway workers, sailors and drivers in public transport blocked Greece on 17 April with the demand for higher pay. The trade unions organized impressive protest demonstrations in Athens and Thessaloniki. Thousands of Greeks came out to protest against low salaries, for hiring more staff to cater for the basic needs of the transport system, and for curbing unemployment, BNR’s correspondent in Greece Katya Peeva reports. As of 1 April, the minimum gross monthly salary in Greece was raised by 6.4% to EUR 830, the third such raise in the past 5 years. However, the protesters say the raise is not enough to meet the rising cost of living.

Băile Herculan – one of Romania’s hidden gems

Băile Herculane is one of the oldest spa resorts in Europe – evidence of its existence goes back as far back as 150 BCE. That is how Radio Romania International presents one of the country’s not-so-popular gems. The resort is famous for its mineral waters, and the ozone rich air which improves sleep. The archaeological finds show that the local thermal waters were used by the Romans. In the centre of Băile Herculane there is a statue of Hercules, who, according to legend, founded the resort. Next to it, the first hydraulic lift in Europe was put up at the end of the 19^th century. Its cabin was lifted up by the pressure of the water coming from the thermal springs. Other architectural sites in Băile Herculane include a casino, built in 1862-1864, and the railway station – a replica of the hunting lodge of Empress Theresa near Vienna. From Herculane, a long climb up a vertical wooden ladder takes visitors to Inelet – a pristine village untouched by modern technologies, so visitors can see what the Banat mountains, with its people and its traditions, looked like 100 years ago.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova

Photos: BGNES, pixabay, Radio România Internațional