Croatian Prime Minister Fires Health Minister Amid Corruption Investigation

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has dismissed Health Minister Vili Beros following his arrest in connection with a corruption investigation conducted by the European Union.

At a press conference, Plenkovic expressed his outrage at the allegations, stating that anyone in the healthcare system using their position for personal or political gain would face accountability.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is investigating Beros and seven others, including hospital directors, for their involvement in bribery, abuse of power, and money laundering. The investigation alleges that between June 2022 and November 2024, the suspects engaged in a scheme to manipulate public procurement processes and secure unjust financial gains, including inflating prices for medical equipment by over $650,000.

Beros, who denies any wrongdoing, was appointed Minister of Health in 2020 after his predecessor was dismissed over a separate corruption matter. This latest development highlights the ongoing corruption issues facing Croatia, which has struggled with systemic political corruption and is frequently ranked among the most corrupt nations in the European Union.