Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday that without substantial preparation, he would not convene the National Security Council, which was suggested by President Zoran Milanovic, who he said was acting "like an arsonist trying to disguise himself as a fireman."

“When we have a concrete, substantial basis with a sort of action plan in the future, then we can think about talking also at the National Security Council. So, no ad hoc, unprepared meeting which should last hours, rather when we assess the time is right for that and when the content of the debate is thoroughly prepared,” the prime minister told the press in the village of Bacin.

Plenkovic reiterated that he would fight radicalisation in society in three ways. The first, he said, was to make public CCTV footage of a recent attack on the government building, the second is the institutional fight against radicalism, and the third is the political fight against parties which approve or have understanding for terrorist acts.

As for the institutional fight, Plenkovic said the government would task the homeland security coordinating body with analysing the situation, improving the coordination of all relevant bodies, and proposing measures.

In a letter on Tuesday, Milanovic proposed to Plenkovic to convene the National Security Council to consider the effect of radicalisation on security in society after the attack on the government building.

Plenkovic reiterated that Milanovic was downplaying the attack in which a policeman was wounded and said that this “could have happened on any other stage.”

“To me, this looks like an arsonist trying to disguise himself as a fireman. That’s how I see his message and when the time comes, we’ll discuss it thoroughly.”

He added that he would reply to the letter in writing.