Indebted Croats Plan Protest Rallies in Zagreb

Croats faced with court seizures of their personal bank accounts and with unpayable loans that result in forced evictions are organising a series of protests in Zagreb.

"Association Blocked", representing people with blocked bank accounts, is to hold a protest on Thursday in front of the government building in Zagreb.

The association accuses Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic of neglecting the problem of over 320,000 people with blocked bank accounts.

"Association Franc", which lobbies for people facing steep rises in repayments of loans taken out in Swiss francs, promises another protest in Zagreb on Saturday.

After the value of the franc rose by 20 per cent in January, the government froze the exchange rate with the Swiss currency for a year, while trying to find a permanent solution to the problem with commercial banks, the national bank, HNB and NGOs representing debtors.

This protest will take place in front of the government headquarters, and in front of the national bank, which "Association Franc" says is responsible for the unresolved issue of Swiss franc loans.

On Wednesday, the association said it was inviting the unemployed, people who did not receive their salaries and all others who feared losing their jobs to the rally.

It announced that 60 buses of protesters were being organised for Saturday, while many others were expected to come by personal arrangement.

"Association Franc" urged its members to support the protest on Thursday as well, as many people with Swiss franc loans have had their personal bank accounts blocked.

"Association Franc" estimates that that around 60,000 loans remain connected to the franc, potentially affecting up to 300,000 people in Croatia.

According to the central bank,...