Outgoing President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic plans to ask the government to provide her with office space after her term expires on 19 February, Vecernji List newspaper writes on Saturday.

Her plan, as she herself has revealed, is to continue working on branding Croatia, promoting national interests, dealing with social issues such as domestic violence and promoting environmental protection. She has no intention to criticise or praise her successor, Zoran Milanovic, or comment on his work, the newspaper said.

“I didn’t think I was going to take an office, but now I’m thinking that one should have a base if one is to do one’s work seriously, and I can’t just sit somewhere and do nothing,” Grabar-Kitarovic was quoted as saying.

The outgoing president may exercise her right under the law to have an office. Before her, only Stjepan Mesic exercised this right, while Ivo Josipovic returned to his duties at the University of Zagreb School of Law.

In 2016, on the initiative of the Bridge party, the law was amended and the rights of former presidents were considerably reduced, as a result of which a former president is no longer entitled to an office for a lifetime but only for five years.

Once Grabar-Kitarovic formally requests an office, the government will have to set aside budget funds for that purpose. She will also be entitled to two office clerks, a car, a driver and a bodyguard, Vecernji List said.