Commentary: Government’s Campaign against the ’67 is Too much’ Initiative

Darko Pajić, Novi list writes that the current Government of the Republic of Croatia shows through its actions that it considers citizens to be naive and gullible. The paid propaganda spot against the referendum initiative ’67 is Too Much’, which is funded with public money, is particularly criticized.

Propaganda Paid with Citizens’ Money

The author emphasizes that the government has used our money to pay for a propaganda campaign against ourselves. The spot suggests that those opposing working until the age of 67 will cause citizens to have lower pensions and leave a 45 billion kuna debt to future generations. Such rhetoric, Pajić claims, insults common sense and demeans the volunteers and citizens who support the referendum.

False Praise and Numbers

The government boasts of having increased pensions by 7.54 percent, but fails to mention that this means only 50 to 70 kuna for average and lower pensioners, an amount that inflation quickly consumed. With irony, the author notes that the government acts as if pensioners can now winter in the Bahamas, even though the reality shows that many still collect bottles and rummage through trash.

The Myth of Working until 67

The government’s campaign explains that not everyone will have to work until 67, only those without 41 years of service. However, as Pajić points out, it is difficult to find a job at 18 years old, university is rarely completed before the age of 25, meaning that most workers cannot accumulate the required service. Those who retire earlier face drastic penalties, even if they become ill and can no longer work.

Forgotten Responsibility

The author reminds us that the government has forgotten everything it has done in the past: transformation and privatization, mass layoffs, privileged pensions for parliamentary representatives and officials, the retirement of thousands of veterans, the sale of banks, HT, and Ina, the scandal with Agrokor, and the situation in Uljanik. All of this further burdens the pension system, while responsibility is shifted to the citizens.

Conclusion of the Commentary

Pajić concludes that citizens are not to blame for the state of the pension system and that the government cannot convince the public that the problem lies with ‘slackers and traitors‘. He emphasizes that the only solution is to sign the referendum and oppose the reform that demands working until the age of 67.