Politics

For the very first time in Croatia, a Zagreb court rules that same-sex married couple Ivo Šegota and Mladen Kožić have the right to be foster parents, and the Ministry of Demography, which rejected their request to provide foster care last year, must implement the new decision within 60 days, this time in accordance with domestic and international legislation. It stems from yesterday’s decision by the Zagreb Administrative Court, which annulled previous decisions including the refusals of the Center for Social Welfare and the ministry, according to Kristina Turčin/Jutarnji List on December 19, 2019. Croatia Court Decision Final: No Appeal…

ZAGREB, December 20, 2019 - The Croatian Election Commission (DIP) said on Friday that members of two polling stations in Banja Luka and one in Sarajevo had been relieved of their duties after they were found to be members of a political party, which disqualifies them for this duty. Following a report by the Zagreb-based GONG nongovernmental association that some of the staff at the polling stations set up in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Croatia's presidential vote on 22 December are members of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), DIP made the necessary checks and found…

ZAGREB, December 20, 2019 - The Croatian Journalists Association (HND) on Friday once again condemned Zagreb mayor Milan Bandić's behaviour towards N1 TV station's reporter Matea Dominiković. The latest incident occurred when Dominiković asked Bandić about the sacking of Boro Nogalo as director of Srebrnjak Children's Hospital. Instead of answering civilly, which is his duty, Bandić again acted shamefully, verbally and physically belittling Dominiković, the HND said in a press release. It recalled that a few days ago Bandić was also inappropriate towards Dominiković, and that in August, when she asked him about the Zagreb General Urban Development Plan, he…

ZAGREB, December 20, 2019 - Croatian Defence Minister Damir Krstičević met with his Afghan counterpart Haji Asadullah Khalid in Kabul on Thursday, discussing the security and political situation in Afghanistan, Croatia's contribution to peace efforts and opportunities for the Croatian defence industry, the Defence Ministry said in a press release. Khalid thanked Croatia for its assistance, notably "brave Croatian soldiers for everything they are doing for us, for advising and mentoring our forces. The Afghan people will never forget the courage of Croatian soldiers." He extended his condolences to the family of Croatian soldier Josip Briški, who had been killed…

ZAGREB, December 20, 2019 - The incumbent President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović held her main election rally in Zagreb on Thursday evening ahead of the presidential election on Sunday, saying that she was seeking a second term in office in good conscience because over the last five years Croatia had emerged from apathy and gloom and strengthened its international standing. "We have pulled Croatia out of apathy and gloom. Croatia is no longer on its knees, it's upright! Croatia is again known in the world for its successes. I'm proud to have had a chance to help Croatia come out of the…

ZAGREB, December 19, 2019 - The Central European Initiative (CEI), established at the time of the fall of the Iron Curtain, marked its 30th anniversary in Rome on Thursday, in the presence of six prime ministers, including Andrej Plenković of Croatia, and sent out a strong message of support for further EU enlargement. The CEI was launched in Budapest in 1989 with the idea of helping countries of Central and Eastern Europe join the EU. "The foreign ministers of the four countries realised what was happening and seized the opportunity" to launch the initiative, at the time of the fall…

ZAGREB, December 19, 2019 - Croatia's economic growth is expected to slow down to 2.5% in 2020, from the medium forecast of GDP growth 2.9% in 2019, a survey conducted by the Croatian Banking Association (HUB) showed on Thursday. The expected slowdown is due to external factors and internal weaknesses, such as the lack of reforms, investment barriers, an inefficient state sector and unfavourable demographics, members of the HUB Club of Chief Economists said in the survey. Kuna exchange rates are expected to remain the same as in late 2019, while public debt should continue decreasing approximately at the same…

ZAGREB, December 19, 2019 - Constitutional Court President Miroslav Šeparović said on Wednesday that a decision on whether the establishment of the High Criminal Court, which should start operating on 1 January 2020, was in line with the Constitution, would be delivered within a reasonable period of time, in a few months. Commenting on the decision to launch the procedure to determine if legal provisions envisaging the establishment of the High Criminal Court are in line with the Constitution, Šeparović told Hina the decision was made in order to prevent serious or irreparable consequences. The Constitutional Court will therefore investigate…

ZAGREB, December 19, 2019 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met with prime minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte in Rome on Wednesday, saying that they were working together in the European Council on accelerating the European Union enlargement process. "We have very strong relations" which are further intensifying, Conte told a press conference in Chigi Palace where he received Plenković on the first day of his two-day official visit to Italy. The Italian leader said that trade between the two countries had exceeded 5 billion euro last year and that this "very positive trend" was also present this year. Italy…

ZAGREB, December 19, 2019 - Defence Minister Damir Krstičević visited the Croatian contingent in Afghanistan on Wednesday, in the run-up to the Christmas holidays, and on that occasion he met German Brigadier General Juergen Broetz who praised the Croatian contribution to NATO's mission in that Asian country, the defence ministry stated. "The Croatian troops are doing a great job here and giving contribution in several segments: healthcare, military police and the command," Brig. Gen. Juergen Broetz, the TAAC North Commander of NATO's Resolute Support in Afghanistan, was quoted as saying. He expressed gratitude to Croatia for its great contribution to…