Croatia
Croatia performs in the high range for Representation and exhibits mid-range performance in the other three Global State of Democracy (GSoD) categories of democracy. It ranks amongst the top 25 per cent of countries in all factors of Representation as well as in several factors of Rights (including Civil Liberties) and in Personal Integrity and Security and Judicial Independence. Between 2018-2023, the country saw a notable advance in Freedom of Expression. Croatia has a service-based economy, with tourism being its most important branch. In 2023, the country joined the Eurozone and the Schengen Area.
Croatia became a kingdom in the 10th century and was divided between the Habsburg Monarchy, Ottoman Empire, and Venice from the 15th to 18th centuries. After WWII, Croatia became a federal republic within Yugoslavia. Declaring independence in 1991, Croatia faced a rebellion from Croatian Serbs supported by the Yugoslav People's Army and Serbia, with fighting effectively ending in 1995. For over a century, Croatian politics has been shaped by conflicts over national identity and the role of religion and tradition. These divisions evolved through critical historical events, including the formation of Yugoslavia, WWII and post-war communism, and the 1990s independence war. Croatia is an ethnically and religiously diverse country, with Serbs being the largest minority group, followed by Bosniaks and Roma. Discrimination against minority groups, including Serbs and Roma, persists in the form of hate crimes and hate speech. Bosniaks lack proper political representation, and several public figures have rejected Croatia’s position as an aggressor in the Bosnian war. This discourse, particularly acute in post-conflict areas, undermines progress towards reconciliation.
The Catholic Church, which represents Croatia’s most sizeable religious community, plays a significant role in society, with its influence shifting based on the political orientation of the ruling parties. The country has struggled with depopulation and massive emigration, and brain drain has been named as an existential issue in recent years. In 2024, for the first time in 15 years, Croatia’s population grew, as more people immigrated than emigrated. The surge in migrant arrivals created another significant societal cleavage, with the country facing accusations of mistreatment and pushback of migrants.
Croatia faced corruption scandals involving political elites, leading to politicization of institutions, very low levels of perceived judicial independence, and dissatisfaction. This has been exacerbated by disputes over the balance of power between politicians and the judiciary. Concerns persist about the political independence of the Council for Electronic Media and the public broadcaster HRT, along with attacks and threats on journalists. Croatia is among the EU member states with the highest number of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), which are used to intimidate and pressure the press. In 2024, the ruling coalition passed a controversial law against whistleblowers.
Despite high performance in Gender Equality and legislative progress, Croatia faces ongoing gender-based inequality, including harassment and violence, with persistent gaps in work, money, knowledge, time, power, and health. Abortion, while legal, is often inaccessible due to pressure from religious and neo-conservative groups. A 2013 referendum banned same-sex marriage, and discrimination and attacks against LGBTQIA+ individuals continue. However, there have been advancements, such as rulings allowing same-sex couples to provide foster care (2020), adopt children (2021), and legal actions against extremist vigilantes (2022 and 2023)
Looking ahead, it is crucial to watch the Rule of Law, especially Absence of Corruption and Judicial Independence, given high-level corruption and accountability issues. Attention is needed for Freedom of the Press, given journalist intimidation and SLAPPs. Focus on Gender Equality, Economic Equality, and Social Group Equality is vital, considering ongoing gender inequality, barriers to abortion, and discrimination against minorities, migrants, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Lastly, Basic Welfare must be watched due to depopulation and brain drain challenges.
Last updated: July 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
April 2024
Conservative incumbent HDZ party wins parliamentary elections
In the parliamentary elections held on 17 April, the conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) remained the largest group with 34.4 per cent of the vote (winning 61 out of 151 seats, six fewer than they won in 2020), while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) coalition came second with 25.4 per cent of the vote. The right-wing party, Homeland Movement was third with 9.6 per cent. The campaign featured Prime Minister Andrej Plenković (HDZ) versus President Zoran Milanović (SDP). Women won 24.5 per cent of parliamentary seats, totaling 37 seats, an increase of two from 2020, marking the highest number since the country gained independence. Voter turnout was 62.3 per cent, up from 46.9 per cent in 2020.
Sources: State Election Commission (1), State Election Commission (2), Reuters, The Association of the Balkan News Agencies Southeast Europe, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2)
March 2024
President Milanović defies Constitutional Court's ban on his PM candidacy
After President Zoran Milanović declared his intention to run for Prime Minister in the 17 April elections on behalf of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Constitutional Court asserted that Milanović could only pursue this candidacy if he resigned from his presidential position first. This decision was based on Article 96 of the Constitution, which prohibits the president from engaging in any other public or professional duties, emphasizing the non-partisan nature of the role and the prohibition of involvement in political party activities. President Milanović said that the Constitutional Court cannot do anything to him, that he would disregard its warning and that a potential annulment of elections by the Court would amount to a coup. Subsequently, he faced accusations of employing campaign rhetoric, prompting the State Election Commission to urge the President to abstain from direct involvement in election campaigning.
Sources: Hrvatska radiotelevizija (1), Hrvatska radiotelevizijav (2), Hrvatska radiotelevizija (3), N1 Info, Balkan Insight
February 2024
PM Andrej Plenković proposes penalizing leaks from investigations
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, which would make unauthorized disclosure of materials from criminal proceedings punishable by up to three years in prison. President Zoran Milanović, media and law experts have condemned the amendments. The Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND) said the legislation will silence journalists and their sources and see it as an attack on freedom of speech and the public interest. The International Press Institute said that this proposal, along with the July 2023 draft of the new media law, are a step backward for press freedom ahead of the 2024 elections. The legislation comes following a recent leak of text messages from a legal procedure that led to Prime Minister Plenković being accused of involvement in corruption.
Sources: Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Croatian Parliament, People’s Dispatch, International Press Institute, Politico
May 2023
Reports spotlight Croatia’s migrant pushbacks
A Human Rights Watch report revealed that the Croatian police are systematically and forcefully pushing refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants of different origins back to Bosnia and Herzegovina, disregarding their asylum claims and protection needs. According to the report, the practice includes mistreatment of vulnerable groups and violation of human rights norms as border police are involved in theft and destruction of personal belongings and are subjecting individuals to humiliating and racist treatment. Balkan Insight has also reported on the matter, citing local NGOs and experts who question the legality of these procedures under European law. Croatian authorities argue that these actions are governed by a bilateral agreement and should be classified as returns rather than expulsions.
Sources: Human Rights Watch, Balkan Insight
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