ZAGREB, 20 July, 2021 - President Zoran Milanović said on Tuesday there was no causal link between recent deaths in the military.

"There is no causal link between the cases, but there might be a link to some elements of social pathology and disorders which exist within and outside the army," he told the press in Varaždin, adding that he would say what he meant exactly "when some time has passed."

"These things happen, but when something like this happens in the army, it attracts attention and the public raises an eyebrow."

Milanović said deaths in the army were at the level of those in the general population and lower, adding that the recent deaths could not be linked to possible problems in the system.

Asked about soldiers caught using illegal drugs, he said that was a more complex case. "I won't comment. Let's wait for the investigation to be over."

Asked if there was any information that could shed light on the matter, he said, "There is, but I can't talk about it. Their commanders know what they are and I know. As does the Defence Ministry."

He called the whole situation awkward but not shameful. "It's a disgrace and a disaster when soldiers commit war crimes, but the Croatian army didn't do that, only exceptionally and long ago."

Milanović said all armies had problems with soldiers using illegal drugs. "It's good that they have been caught," he added, dismissing claims that the security system was in danger.

Asked if that was not normal behaviour, he said it was not and that it would be punished.

COVID vaccination

Speaking of vaccination against COVID, he said Croatia was neither the worst nor the best. "Once again, I call on everyone, get vaccinated," he said, adding that he doubted threats would work.

Milanović said he was for everything getting back to normal after the tourist season. "This hysteria that is going on, which is spilling over into Croatia from Western countries, is a major stumbling of human intelligence and reason." 

Asked about a constitutional suit filed by the Voice of Entrepreneurs association, which claims that certain businesses were discriminated against during the pandemic, Milanović said it would have been better if the parliamentary majority had been deciding on restrictions because the problems would not have been so extensive.

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 20 July, 2021 - Miroslav Škoro on Tuesday tendered his irrevocable resignation as leader of the opposition Homeland Movement.

"I hereby irrevocably resign from the position of president of the Homeland Movement and from all other duties in the party, effective from 20 July 2021," Škoro announced in a Facebook post.

"I resign because I think that the time has come for the Homeland Movement to continue its successful political activity under new leadership. I am proud that we managed to form a political party that the Croatian people have recognised as being one that can preserve the Croatian national interests and values that are enshrined in the foundations of our state and our people," Škoro said.

He noted that in slightly over a year since its formation, the Homeland Movement had managed to achieve great successes in national and local elections, emerging as the third strongest political group in the country.

Škoro said that he would remain a faithful member of the party and would help it in achieving its interests.

The Homeland Movement said they were surprised by Škoro's resignation, but accepted it "with understanding", thanking him for his contribution.

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July 20, 2021 - After the first announcement of Croatian and foreign performers, the Wake The Lake Festival organizers have revealed more top names this August on Lake Lokve.

From August 4 to 8, on three stages (two on the lakeshore and one in the woods), the festival will host 45 contemporary house and techno DJ names, although there will also be drum & bass, disco, funk, and plenty of great electronic fusion. Previously announced performers, led by Cinthie, Petar Dundov, Umek, and La Fleur, are joined in the second wave by Gerd Janson, Bradley Zero, Dr. Rubinstein, and Elado. In addition, from regional and domestic names, Dejan Milićević, Marko Milosavljević, Andrea Ljekaj,  Boo Dale (Dražen Baljak from LET3), Hibou, Maraya Angela, Krešo Jurina & Mrle, Rinma, Time To Sleep, and Venom have also been announced in this phase. 

Gerd Janson (DE) is one of the most respected DJs in the world of house and techno. This is what not only the audience around the world thinks, but also his colleagues, so he is often called the "DJ's DJ." House and techno are the basis of his sets, which are always intertwined with many other genres such as the UK funk, synth-pop or industrial. Janson is a DJ who, unexpectedly, reconfigures classics you already knew and introduces you to new ones, months (or years) before you hear them anywhere else.

Bradley Zero (UK) is, for many, a “Boiler Room character” (one of the program’s founders and host of the cult show), but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that Bradley Zero is so much more! He is the original creator of the musical style of his generation, a respected music selector, and the founder of Rhythm Section International, one of the strongest British record labels. In addition, Bradley is a DJ with an insatiable thirst for new sounds and a constantly growing collection of vinyl, which is why he uncompromisingly launches dance floors in the UK, Europe, and beyond. His DJ sets can never really be defined by just one sound, but they are quite worldly.

Dr. Rubinstein is the stage name of Marina Rubinstein, who is really "something different." Born in Russia, raised in Israel, based in Berlin, Marina stood out with her specific character on the scene. The rave culture of the 90s inspires her unique style and performance. The result is her addictive energy and impeccable musical selection spanning multiple genres and decades and lots of fatty acid bass lines. Dr. Rubinstein is known as a big fan of vinyl and an icon on the underground music scene, attracting many fans without the support of the media or publishing houses.

In addition to a strong music program, Wake The Lake Festival, especially because of its location, offers much more. Located in the heart of the breathtaking nature of Gorski Kotar on the shores of Lake Lokve, the festival celebrates the pristine ecosystem and Illyrian mystique.

In addition to hot dancing nights with superb electronic music on the main Water stage, visitors can expect unprecedented relaxation and adventure through an attractive daily program. Fun in the middle of the lake on a party boat that sails twice a day, chill in the natural amphitheater of the forest stage with a mix of funky and disco sound and afterparty on The Rising Sun stage, are just part of what the festival organizers have prepared.

In the breaks between the parties, visitors can join festival workshops, trips to beautiful corners of Gorski Kotar, or one of the many seminars, such as the seminar on afforestation and environmental protection. Deeply inspired by untouched nature, visitors can join one of the guided tours, explore hidden green oases with organized guided excursions, such as Lokvarka Cave and Golubinjak Forest Park, or experience an adrenaline rush off-road adventure and rafting in Brod na Kupi.

Visitors can also expect chillout zones with massages, competition games, treasure hunts, art and photo exhibitions, a visit to the local market, and other activities by which the organizers encourage positive changes in the neglected area of ​​Gorski Kotar.

The festival will be held following the law and epidemiological measures. Festivalgoers can enter with a digital COVID certificate, i.e., persons who have received at least one dose of vaccine against COVID-19, persons who have recovered from COVID, or have a negative PCR or antigen test. At the festival site itself, the organizers will also provide medical staff so that visitors can take a quick on-site test valid for 48 hours, in case they have not done so before.

Find out more about the festival at:
www.wake-the-lake.com/hr
www.facebook.com/wakethelakelokve
www.instagram.com/wakethelake.musicfest

For more, follow our dedicated lifestyle section.

July 20, 2021 - Croatia and Russia will meet at Poljud Stadium in Split to close out the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Group H. 

The Croatian Football Federation Executive Board has registered Poljud Stadium as the host of the Croatia and Russia match as part of the European qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar in 2022, reports HNS.

Croatia and Russia have played four times so far, with Croatia recording two wins and two draws. Recall, Croatia and Russia most recently met in the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup at Fisht Stadium in Sochi. The match finished 1:1 thanks to a goal by Kramarić before going into extra time when Vida scored for the 2:1 lead. Fernandes equalized in the final minutes, forcing to game to penalties. Rakitić scored the winning penalty, advancing Croatia to the semifinal match against England. 

Split will host two Croatia national team matches this fall - on September 7, Croatia will host Slovenia on Poljud (20:45), and the competition in Group H will end on November 14 at 15:00 against Russia. In other news, the 2018 World Cup finalists will host Slovakia on October 11 at City Garden Stadium in Osijek.

After the introductory three rounds in March, the Croatia national team leads in Group H with six points, the same number of points as Russia, while Slovakia is one point behind. Croatia is expected to play against Russia (September 1) and Slovakia (September 4) in September, and the three-match program will end in Split against Slovenia.

The 10 first-placed national teams in their groups will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed national teams will compete in the playoffs in March 2022. The 2022 World Cup will be held in an untraditional term, from 21 November – 18 December 2022. 

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

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ZAGREB, 20 July, 2021 - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said on Tuesday he expected light to be shed on the fate of missing and killed Croats from Bugojno, central Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he laid wreaths and attended Mass in a church destroyed in the 1990s war.

"It's very important to shed light on the dark past so we can live together, so we can open a new chapter of coexistence. It's important to shed light on the past, on the fate of the missing, the killed. Their families are still alive," Grlić Radman said in Kandija.

Croats in Bugojno are commemorating the 28th anniversary of suffering during the war with the Bosniak Army of BiH. In the summer of 1993, about 16,000 were driven out and about 300 were killed, while 15 top military and political officials, who were captured, taken to concentration camps and then killed, are still being traced.

Tomorrow, the search for their bodies will continue with excavations at Rostova, where the remains of four missing Bugojno Croats were exhumed last year.

In Kandija, Grlić Radman laid a wreath for the Croat victims of the Homeland and other wars.

He said Bugojno was a test for all in BiH in "bringing back the spirit of unity, tolerance, multi-ethnicity."

The minister said it was sad that 16,000 Croats lived in Bugojno before the 1990s war and only 2,500 today.

"It's necessary to create the prerequisites for their return. The Croatian government and all its institutions will help with appropriate crossborder cooperation projects and through EU funds. I'm sure the Croats of Bugojno will be able to return home and that the Croatian identity will be cultivated and shown here again, while respecting all other faiths and nations as it used to be."

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 20 July, 2021 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Tuesday congratulated the head of the Islamic Community in Croatia, Mufti Aziz Hasanović, and all Islamic believers on Kurban Bayram, wishing that the Bayram days be filled with peace, health and joy.

Plenković also wished that "this time of sacrifice give you inspiration and strength to overcome the challenges and tests ahead."

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ZAGREB, 20 July, 2021 - For May 2021, the average monthly net earnings per person in paid employment in legal entities in Croatia amounted to HRK 7,104, nominally higher by 6.7% and really by 4.5% as compared to the same month last year, the national statistical office said on Tuesday.

As compared to April 2021, the nominal increase was 0.3% and the real one 0.2%.

The highest average monthly net earnings per person in paid employment in legal entities for May 2021 were paid in Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (HRK 10,756), while the lowest were paid in Manufacture of wearing apparel (HRK 4,401).

Median net earnings for May 2021 amounted to HRK 5,966 kuna.

For May 2021, the average monthly gross earnings per person in paid employment in legal entities amounted to HRK 9,553, a nominal increase of 0.3% and a real one of 0.2% as compared to April 2021.

The average monthly gross earnings per person in paid employment in legal entities were nominally higher by 5.4% and really by 3.2% for May 2021 as compared to the same month last year.

The average monthly net earnings per hour for May 2021 amounted to HRK 41.57, which was 4.3% higher than in April 2021. As compared to the same month last year, they increased by 6.3%.

The average monthly gross earnings per hour for May 2021 amounted to HRK 55.90, which was 4.3% higher than in April 2021. As compared to the same month last year, they increased by 5%.

In May 2021, there were 167 paid hours on average, decreasing by 4% as compared to April 2021. The greatest number of paid hours was recorded in the Human health activities (178) and the smallest one in Social work activities without accommodation (152).

(€1 = HRK 7.5)

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ZAGREB, 20 July, 2021 - The Supreme Court said on Tuesday that the term of office of Supreme Court President Đuro Sessa had expired and he would be replaced by Deputy President Marin Mrčela, adding there is no constitutional crisis and that judges continue to exercise the judicial power as determined by the Constitution and law.

"Until the new president is elected, the affairs of the court administration will be performed by the deputy president, whose powers are determined by the law adopted by the Croatian parliament. There is democratic legitimacy because the law was adopted by democratically elected representatives," the press release said.

The length of court proceedings is the biggest problem, it was underscored, so further action will be taken in terms of court administration to continue reducing the number of cases and resolving them more quickly.

"There is no constitutional crisis. Judges did not 'produce' this situation nor do they want to be part of daily political confrontations," the Supreme Court said.

Sessa was Supreme Court President since 20 July 2017. He also applied for a new term in office in the first public call issued by the State Judicial Council this year, but President Zoran Milanović did not recommend him or anyone else who applied to the parliament.

The State Judicial Council issued the second public call after the Supreme Court had concluded that the president could only nominate a candidate who applied to the public call. Sessa did not apply, saying that President Milanović, who recommended Zlata Đurđević for Supreme Court President, clearly did not want to recommend him to the parliament for that position.

On 7 July, the State Judicial Council issued the third public call for the appointment of a new Supreme Court President, and Milanović said he would nominate his candidate, after Zlata Đurđević did not receive the support of a majority of MPs.

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