Croatian politicians have Monday 20 June voted to dissolve the parliament, paving the way for snap elections after bringing down the fragile five-month old government last week through vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic.
The dissolution of parliament “will become effective on July 15“, speaker Zeljko Reiner said on Monday 20 June. 137 members in the 151-seat assembly backed the dissolution move.
The new election, a snap vote, is likely to happen in early September, as it must be held no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days after the date when parliament is dissolved. President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who will choose the election date, said she would take account of the fact that most parties were in favour of holding the vote after the summer holidays.
At the same time, the majority coalition party in government, HDZ with Tomislav Karamarko at its head, did not succeed in mustering up enough support (76 seats) to restructure a new government. Hence, Tomislav Karamarko has resigned as party leader, leaving the party leadership slate clean for fresh talent with the most chance of beating by a good margin the centre-left Social Democrats at the polls.
Karamarko said his resignation will give his party a better chance in the snap elections “this act creates space for new impulses.”
“I am resigning in the interest of the party, not because of pressure,” Karamarko said. “I had promised my party that I will be able to create a political majority and I failed, so I take responsibility for that.”
Last November’s election produced a fragile, minority government that was catapulted into power through coalition with Most/Bridge independents and appointing a non-elected Prime Minister. Had there been more experience in this kind of government perhaps all would have been well but, regretfully, the government became the focus of staged scandals by the opposition, disputes over sensitive political appointments, public administration reforms that would mean big job cuts, and Karamarko’s conflict of interest case. Had all this not ended the way it did, had Karamarko not resigned there would have surely been new scandals to bring the government down. This government was doomed from the start and, I would say, much of the blame could be directed at the ousted Prime Minister who, it seems, lost his way somewhere along the line and forgot that HDZ had a list of reforms that needed to be implemented and because of which it was elected as a relative majority in parliament.
The prospects of new election results do not point to a much better or different situation. If an elected majority is not a convincing majority, a minority government would again take power joining into a coalition with minor parties or independents and political instability comparable to the one we have just seen in Croatia could well re-emerge. This of course would produce more lasting negative influences on investments upon which reforms and economic recovery depend.
HDZ has a huge job to do in the coming weeks if it wants to win government again and much of this work will be safely in the bag if its new leader is a figure many in and out of current HDZ support can respect. Such a person, in my opinion is Andrej Plenkovic, currently HDZ Member of EU Parliament, who has already declared he’ll put his hand up for candidacy. It needs to be kept in mind that HDZ won a relative majority of seats in parliament with promised reforms that have yet to be tested and implemented and if cards are played right with the people, this, and not the confusion of the political crisis just gone, will be in voters minds when they go to the polls in September.
Voters know that Croatia needs decisive reforms to fix its fragile public finances, reduce public debt, which now stands at 86% of GDP, improve the investment climate and stimulate growth. All of this has now been placed on a backburner as snap elections loom. HDZ would do well to reassure the electorate that the reforms needed, and more, are ready to go despite the unwelcome albeit temporary setback with the political crisis just gone. Ina Vukic, Prof. (Zgb); B.A., M.A.Ps. (Syd)
I wish them well with this: a fair campaign with a good result.
Me too, Clare, although the “fair” in politics seems to be going out of fashion everywhere in the world 🙁
Seeing as communist Vladimir Seks is pro-Plenkovic as are some other pro-commis, I respectfully disagree.
I also am not impressed with the fact that he was old enough to serve in the HV – Croatian army – during the war and did not.
That speaks volumes.
I see little about Plenkovic that is patriotic. But perhaps I am mistaken.
Hasanbegovic was too young to serve in the HV and has been a Croatian patriot his whole life. He is also uncompromising, something Croatia desperately needs.
Hasanbegovic should lead HDZ and return it to the glory days of President Franjo Tudjman.
Yes,Veronika, Vladimir Seks should have retired from HDZ politics a long time ago and I do agree Hasanbegovic would make a better leader as he does not seem to be driven by anything or anyone except Croatia’s freedom and independence while others including Plenkovic do appear affected by political choices that appease “someone” not necessarily primarily beneficial to Croatian freedom and independence. Hasanbegovic has not yet put his name forward as HDZ leader, unless he did since last time I checked and I hope he will.
I truly enjoy your journalist style and ways. Thank you.
Aw, thank you landacrystal
Buna dimineata Ina !
https://youtu.be/46wkSlRunOM
Si in ROMANIA ar trebui DIZOLVAT PARLAMENTUL ca si asa NU produce NIMIC pentru BINELE POPORULUI roman ci doar pentru BINELE lor, al familiilor si rudelor lor……
O zi de JOI cu doar realizari si bucurii ! 🙂
Aliosa.
PS !
UEFA Euro 2016 :
CROATIA-SPANIA 2-1 !!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
In optimile de finala ale Euro 2016, sambata 25 iunie 2016
CROATIA va juca cu PORTUGALIA ……………..
Forza CROATIA !!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Cu stima si prietenie,
Aliosa.
A TRANSLATION OF ALIOSA COMMENT: And ROMANIA should dissolve parliament, it produces nothing for the good of the people but only for their own good, their families and relatives ……
PS!UEFA Euro 2016:SPAIN 2-1 CROATIA-!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 In the knockout round of Euro 2016 on Saturday June 25, 2016 CROATIA Vs PORTUGAL … Force to CROATIA !!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
With esteem and friendship, Aliosa.
REPLY: Much appreciate your comment Aliosa and Romania like Croatia has terrible political issues relating to transitioning from communist regime to democracy – we must keep on pushing for more democracy and stamp out self-interest and nepotism and all ugly ways brought in by the old communist regimes. Am so excited with Croatia’s success at the UEFA Euro 2016. Go Croatia! 😀
On another note and a break from politics…let’s hope Croatia can beat Portugal at Euro on Saturday — like they beat Spain this week! woo hoo!! Go Hrvatska!!!
Go Croatia! 😀
We will be choosing our own new PM also very soon, along with half of Parliment! 😉
Brexit is bringing all sorts of issues to be dealt with, Sue – I hope it all pans out the way people imagined when they voted
I am sure Ina this is all part of the Matrix as we see these events unfurl. Let us hope each one brings us to a better understanding of the need to live in greater harmony, in truth and with love. <3
Hear, hear – Sue