ZAGREB, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Croatian State Assets Minister Goran Maric resigned on Monday after media revealed his alleged suspicious real estate dealings.
The minister told reporters that he cannot accept "unprecedented blow to dignity, peace and integrity" of his family. He said that he became a target because of the new laws and practices that no longer accept the seizure of state property.
Local news portal index.hr reported that the minister had acquired a flat in the capital Zagreb before he became minister. The case involved the purchase and sale of flats and renovation of the Franciscan monastery. Allegedly, Maric, as a member of the Croatian parliament, ensured the renovation of the monastery in exchange for a flat that was sold to his wife's company below the market price.
"I send a message to all those who want to turn my life into chaos that they won't succeed," Maric said after he signed the last contract as the state assets Minister. The minister has sent a request to activate his mandate in the Parliament.
Maric is the second minister in the Croatian government who resigned in just one week. On July 8, the Administration Minister and political secretary of the ruling party Lovro Kuscevic resigned under pressure over allegations that he gained personal wealth in a land deal at the time when he was a mayor.
Local media reports that the government will be reshuffled during summer. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic confirmed last week that there will be a reshuffle, saying that he has the party's support for changes in the government.
Apart from the State Assets Minister and the Administration Minister, the government will get the new Foreign Minister because the current Foreign Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric was in June elected the new Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. Media here speculates with other possible changes and new ministers in the government.
The political secretary of the biggest opposition party in the country, the Social Democratic Party, said on Monday that the best and most fair reconstruction of the government would be a new election.
