Third Child in Zagreb Gets 66,000 Kuna

Sostar did not mention the mayor when explaining the decision on increasing maternity payments, and bragged: It was my decision!

ZAGREB, CROATIA - Only a few months after his energetic speech in the city office for health, employment, welfare and veterans, which looked more like a pre-election speech, Zagreb’s mayor Milan Bandic fulfilled his promise about increasing financial aid for newborn children in Zagreb. According to the newest decision, the maternity payments will be increased by about 20 percent and will not be: 3,600 kuna for a first child, 7,200 kuna for a second child, and for every third and subsequent child they will give 66,000 kuna!

Even though Bandic announced this without the knowledge of the Zagreb minister for health, Zvonimir Sostar from the city office for health, employment, welfare and veterans, the city office for finance barely managed to fulfil the mayor’s promise.

“This decision follows the politics that this city government advocates. Last year we had eight thousand newborn Zagreb residents. The third child in a family is a positive zero, we increased the financial aid for the third and subsequent children by 22-23 percent. That is the most important increase because the third child is the most important” said Sostar after a city government meeting.

Bandic: Exclusively my proposal is in question

However, because Sostar did not mention the mayor in his explanation, who initiated the decision, Bandic felt responsible to praise himself.

“My proposal is in question. First they told me that we could not, but I told them to find a formula and that maternity payments must go up by 20 percent. That is exclusively my proposal! I do not need to brag, but the truth must be said. I congratulate Sostar and Kojic. I know that colleague Kojic’s hair is standing on end, because every promise by the mayor must find a financial solution. We found it!” bragged mayor Bandic after a city government meeting.

According to Sostar’s words, what is new about the financial aid is that for the first child, money will be paid in three payments of 1,200 kuna during three years. The second child will receive three payments of 2,400 kuna over three years, and the third and subsequent children will receive six payments of 11,000 during six years. People can get the right to these maternity payments for children born after March 31 this year, if they request the payment within 6 months of the child’s birth.