Defence Minister Mario Banozic has decided that segments of the armed forces that provide support to the Office of Croatian President for protocol and other activities can offer that assistance only if the minister signs off on it, Croatian media outlets reported on Monday evening.

The decision on the necessary signature was made by Minister Banozic on 4 November, and the Office of President Zoran Milanovic on Monday slammed it as being against law and the Constitution.

Banozic’s decision means that support for protocol activities, which is offered without the minister’s approval, will not be financially covered by the defence ministry’s budget.

The Armed Forces’ chief-of-staff and the heads of the ministry’s material resources’ department and department for the ministry’s budget and finances are authorised to implement the decision adopted on 4 November.

A source from the ministry told the Jutarnji List daily that if the request for the use of material resources is in line with laws, it will be granted.

These developments prompted the Office of President Milanovic to accuse Banozic once again of abuse of his powers.

“The decision is against law and the Constitution, and one more example of the minister’s impudent abuse of his powers,” the Office says, slamming the move as the minister’s self-willed attempt to restrict the constitutional powers of the President of Croatia and to make it impossible for the Office of President to function smoothly.