Croatia – Electoral Law Groundhog Day

croatia revolution

31.5% of Dubrovnik’s eligible voters came out to vote at the Referendum (for or against the proposed development of area Srdj [Srđ] above the city into an elite golf course and apartments) last Sunday. Not a big turnout, but some 80% of those that did vote voted against the development. While the referendum initiators (those […]

Croatia: A misguided Critique Of Parliamentary Opposition

Unlike in most “Western” parliaments, Croatian parliament has no officially elected position/role of Leader of the Opposition; in Croatia the title Leader of the Opposition is unofficially attached to the Leader of the political party holding most seats on opposition benches. Yet, much of the Croatian public and media act towards Tomislav Karamarko (President of […]

Corruption investigators knocking on Croatia’s former president’s – Stjepan Mesic – door!

Stjepan Mesic

Corruption seems woven deeply into the fabric of  that part of Croatian society where former, and perhaps some current power brokers, politicians and public company directors roam. No big surprise there, all former communist countries are tarnished with the same brush. The challenge is to pluck out the rotten threads, one by one, and free […]

Tomislav Karamarko: A good notch above all new candidates for Croatian Democratic Union leadership

The Croatian Democratic Union (CDU) (Hrvatska demokratska zajednica/ HDZ), having been the predominant force in national politics in the two decades since Croatia split from Yugoslavia, has been facing a struggle for leadership after steep parliamentary losses (December 2011) and allegations of corruption of individual former leaders or party dignitaries. A month after  CDU lost […]

Go Jump In The Lake

The sensational Plitvice Lakes - Croatia - were under Serb occupation 1991 - 1995

I don’t think I’m the only person in the world who gets quite annoyed by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) chief prosecutors. I accept that their job is important, but it should not be a job where personal hunches, witch hunting or warped beliefs should have a place in setting the […]

A Red Carrot Harvest in Croatia

Zoran Milanovic, leads the "cock-a-doodle-doo" coalition into electoral victory

Once upon a time – but still fresh in memory of many – there were jobs for most. The communist rule in former Yugoslavia, with socialist orientation made it their business that everyone of working age and capacity should have an ongoing job without the fear of redundancy. Productivity and business viability were unimportant in […]

Yesss! Finally! Croatia to sign EU Treaty on 9 December 2011 in Brussels

Jadranka Kosor and EU Treaty

10 November Vecernji List from Zagreb reports briefly that diplomatic sources have confirmed that Croatia will be signing the EU Treaty in Brussels, during the Summit of Heads of EU rather than in Warsaw later on as originally thought. (http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/hrvatska-9-prosinca-potpisuje-pristupni-ugovor-bruxellesu-clanak-344898) Whether joining the EU on 1 July 2013 will benefit the Croatian people is yet […]

Mass murders of anti-communists in WWII and after finally get their deserved attention of law

Jadranka Kosor

It has been a long time for Croatia (indeed for much of the ex-communist run world) to see the day when serious considerations and criminal jurisprudence will apply to the World War II crimes and post WWII crimes committed by the pro-communist forces during that war and many years after. When it comes to Croatia […]

Things That Go Bump In The Night

The First President of the Republic of Croatia, the late Dr Franjo Tuđman, kissing the new Croatian flag

Last week an investigation has been launched in Croatia against the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) over financial fraud or corruption. Prosecutors have named party officials suspected of corruption, incumbent Prime Minister and HDZ leader Jadranka Kosor said, although she herself is not on the suspect list. Yet another bribery scandal may seriously damage the […]