Stephen (Stjepo) Nikola Bartulica, the representative of the Homeland Movement, is facing financial difficulties with a monthly salary of 7,854 euros. Bartulica has reportedly accumulated a total debt of 570,000 euros, with loan installments and repayments exceeding his and his wife’s combined income. Despite refusing to provide details about other sources of income, Bartulica claims he is under attack from leftists and has prompted an investigation into conflict of interest by the Commission.
Bartulica purchased a house on the island of Prvi near Šibenik for 300,000 euros using a 270,000 euro loan from a bank and an additional 30,000 euro loan from Vjekoslav Guci, a Zagreb entrepreneur. He also has a 270,000 euro loan for an apartment in Zagreb. The combination of these loans leaves Bartulica in a precarious financial situation with the risk of losing his properties if he fails to repay them.
Despite public scrutiny and legal requirements to disclose financial information, Bartulica has not provided concrete answers about his additional sources of income. While he acknowledges having a friend who is a judge and co-debtor for the house loan, he has not explained how he maintains his lifestyle given his reported income. In response to criticism and allegations against him, Bartulica claims that he acquired his assets through legitimate means and that his financial arrangements are standard practice.
As the investigation continues and questions linger about Bartulica’s undisclosed sources of income and ability to manage significant debts, it underscores the complexities of financial responsibility and transparency for public figures in politics and governance.
