Croatian PM Chooses New Economics Minister

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — The Croatian prime minister has chosen the head of the country's Employers Association to be the new economics minister.

Premier Jadranka Kosor appointed Djuro Popijac to the post Friday. Popijac currently represents Croatia's entrepreneurs and other employers.

The parliament is expected to confirm the choice next week.

Several labor unions protested the nomination, saying Popijac would ignore workers' interests.

The previous economics minister, Damir Polancec, resigned after the media implicated him in a corruption scandal. He has not been charged.

Kosor said solving economic problems in the country, hit hard by recession, should be her Cabinet's focus in 2010.

Croatia's GDP is expected to contract by about 5 percent this year.