Prime Minister dismissed Health Minister Milan Kujundzic over controversies raised by the media about the minister's failure to properly disclose his property holdings in his declaration of assets, the government spokesman confirmed on Tuesday morning.

The Prime Minister said that he decided to relieve Kujundzic, who will now return to the parliament as MP from the ranks of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), because he was unable to focus on important issues plaguing the healthcare sector.

After the Telegram news portal had reported last week that Kujundzic had undervalued his home and other properties around the country in his declaration of assets, Kujundzic on Monday refused to step down on his own, saying he would leave the decision to Plenkovic.

Kujundzic also said the incorrect information listed in his declaration of assets was a mistake on his part but added that the media attention and calls for him to be removed were “orchestrated attacks.”

“The country has to prepare with others for defence against the growing epidemic of the coronavirus, and that requires the minister’s full attention. Kujundzic was primarily focused on issues that have nothing to do with the Health Ministry,” Plenkovic said on Tuesday, adding he will nominate the new Health Minister on Wednesday.