We are continuing to introduce Croatian political parties, and this time around we will take a quick look at the “new kids on the block”, political parties that have received a lot of media attention over the last few months. Who knows, some of them may even go over the 5% threshold and win a seat in the new parliament assembly, even though their support seems to declining as the elections draw near.
Živi zid
They describe themselves as a non-profit, non government activist-political organization and party for the protection, promotion and enhancement of human rights and freedoms. It was officially formed in 2011 under the name of Alliance for change (formed by Ivan Pernar, quite a controversial individual), and the party changed its name to Živi zid in August 2014, few months before one of their members Ivan Vilibor Sinčić ran for president of Croatia and ended up being the biggest surprise of the elections winning 16,525% of the votes in the first round.
Known mostly for their efforts to prevent and stop evictions and a very vocal stand against banks, Živi zid bases its programme on:
– Thorough reform of the Croatian monetary system
- Revision and processing of all criminal acts regarding privatization
- Judicial reform
- Administrative reform
According to their latest guerrilla marketing campaign (pictured), a vote for Živi zid means:
- Repossession of stolen properties and resources and a payout of 13th and 14th pension
- No more paying for additional participation for health services
- No more monthly fees for Croatian National Television
- Abandoned army objects will be refurbished and converted to nursing homes, which will decrease waiting periods and costs
And, btw, dear members of Živi zid, your Program home page should at least have few main points instead of being empty. But then again, it seems that, in your opinion, sticking program points on trees seems to be more effective.
MOST (Bridge)
This is one of the youngest political parties in Croatia or a coalition of independent lists to be more exact. This political platform started in Metković after Božo Petrov and his list, without any previous political experience, won the last local elections and “de-throned” Stipe Gabrić Jambo, former absolute ruler of Metković. Some of the names associated with MOST and persons most likely to be on the ballots are: Božo Petrov, Ivan Kovačić (mayor of Omiš), Ivan Lovrinčević (Former Dean of the University of Economy in Zagreb), and various other city and town mayors from across the country.
Main programme characteristics:
-Introduction of vignettes for highways better infrastructure for tourist centres
- Ecological education starting from kindergartens and implementation of Eco standards in all areas and aspects
- Independence of the food processing and producing industry, agriculture as a priority not a problem
-Greater energy independence and increase of renewable energy sources
- Judicial reform – faster, more efficient judiciary system without political pressure
- More liberal voting model with preferential votes, implementation of postal and electronic voting
-Connecting education with entrepreneurs, quality in higher education instead of quantity
-Fiscal responsibility, proving all funds are being spent for intended purposes
ORaH (Sustainable development of Croatia)
Their rise as a political party started as soon as they were officially formed as a party in October 2013. Founder and former Minister of Environmental Protection for SDP, Mirela Holy is one of Croatia’s most vocal green activists, so it is not surprising ORaH’s main programme points are based on ecology and sustainable development. Unfortunately for them, most of the public is still not familiar with other paty members apart from MIrela Holy. In their economic programme they are in favour of social-ecological market model in which the state sets the strategy of economic development with state intervention measures and monitors the implementation of the fair market game between investors realizing projects from plans and strategies. ORaH has one European Parliament member – Davor Škrlec.
Now, let’s focus on their main programme points:
1. Reform of public administration and the judiciary system
2. Regionalisation and financial decentralization – abolishment of counties, introduction of regions (4 + Zagreb)
3. Tax reform directed towards tax liberation of work and introduction of taxes on capital and assets
4. Stabilisation of the pension system, increase of minimal pension
5. Health system reorganisation
6. Strong institutional and financial support for small and medium economic projects
7. Strengthening of foreign affairs in international trade, especially towards BRICS members
8. More transparent public spending
9. Better financing of science, education, technology and innovations (3% of GDP in the next 5 years)
10. Better supervision of the bank sector
11. Legalisation and liberalization of cannabis for economic, medicinal, recreational and personal purposes
