Newly-appointed Construction Minister Ivan Paladina said on Wednesday he was not asking for 100 days from citizens in earthquake-struck areas but much less, adding that it is realistic for reconstruction to be in full swing by next winter.

“At the moment, I wouldn’t dare talk about deadlines, but I completely understand that our fellow citizens whose homes were affected by the earthquakes can’t give me 100 days, nor am I asking for that. I’m asking for much less… for a little peace,” he told the press after his first cabinet session.

Asked if he was in a conflict of interest if he had 10% in a company which was building on state-owned land, Paladina said he was not and that he had discussed this with his lawyers.

He added that in the next 30 days, in line with the Conflict of Interest Act, he would transfer management rights and recuse himself from any decision if necessary.

Asked if it was true that he had been exiting from that company for two years now, Paladina said the process began in 2020 and that it was long, but not due to him. “It is being conducted at the Zagreb Commercial Court and I can’t impact deadlines.”

He went on to say that his “only goal in the coming period is reconstruction and enhancing every activity within the ministry’s remit. Reconstruction… first and foremost.”

I’m deeply motivated by the fact that the results expected of me literally mean a roof over their heads for many of our fellow citizens, Paladina said, adding that all aggravating circumstances are less important.

Asked if he considered himself a successful entrepreneur, he said he did, that everything he had done was legal, that he had paid taxes on everything and was proud of everything he had done.

As for the opposition’s claims that his projects had failed and that he had not one success to his name, Paladina said “that simply isn’t true” and that his experience would be very useful for enhancing the realisation of future projects.

The new minister said he would declare his assets within the next 30 days.