Ostojic is the first member of the government to be appointed according to the new rules and so instead of the appointment being debated at a plenary session of parliament it was discussed in the committee and the Sabor will only take a vote on the appointment.

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, who recommended Ostojic for the new position after Neven Mimica took up the post of European Commissioner for Consumer Protection in Brussels, said at the committee meeting that Ostojic's duties will primarily be related to home affairs and to prepare Croatia for accession to the Schengen passport-free zone.

"That is one of the reasons that went in favour of his being selected for the position of deputy prime minister", Milanovic said, adding that Ostojic had a great deal of political and administrative experience.

Milanovic drew the attention of reporters after he sat in the chairman's seat while deputy chairman Vladimir Seks sat on a bench. After the committee's chairman explained to Milanovic that he should speak from the podium, Milanovic presented his recommendation and concluded that his role had been exhausted and left the room.

The committee members then started their discussion but were more interested in the dispute between Croatia and the European Commission over the European Arrest Warrant, the overlap in Ostojic's portfolio of the civil and repressive sectors, the Schengen regime at the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina and participation of ethnic minorities in the police.

Ostojic stated that his most important job will be to see that all criteria are met for Croatia to enter the Schengen zone as well as being responsible for home affairs and the judiciary.