Live updates about the current governmental crisis.
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During a session of government held on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković made a decision to dismiss three ministers from MOST who moments earlier voted against Finance Minister Zdravko Marić. Plenković dismissed the Minister of Interior Vlaho Orepić, the Minister of Justice Ante Šprlje and the Minister of Environmental Protection and Energy Slaven Dobrović.
The government had voted on a motion for a vote of no confidence to Finance Minister Zdravko Marić, and Prime Minister Plenković called on all the ministers to vote against the motion and in favour of the Finance Minister. However, the three ministers from MOST: Dobrović, Orepić and Šprlje voted against Marić.
“I would like to ask the cabinet secretary to prepare a decision on the dismissal of the three MOST ministers,” said the Prime Minister after the vote.
19.00
Another dramatic day in Croatian politics is behind us. We started the day with an HDZ-MOST government, and we are ending it with no ruling coalition, after the Prime Minister demanded the dismissal of three of MOST’s ministers. He claims that he has dismissed them, while MOST says that the decision is not final without parliament’s approval or the signature of the Speaker of Parliament, who is also MOST’s leader.
It will be interesting to see what will happen tomorrow morning when the three MOST ministers (who say that their dismissals are not final) appear at their ministries. It is not certain whether or not they will be allowed to enter them.
In the next few days it should become clear whether or not HDZ will manage to cobble together a ruling majority. If not, early parliamentary elections are unavoidable. However, it is more likely that HDZ will be able to find a slim majority which will keep the HDZ-led government in power for a few more months.
How long that will last is a question without an answer at this point.
17.00
Miroslav Šimić, MOST MP:
The Prime Minister has violated the constitution. Ministers can be dismissed only after they are voted out by parliament. Our ministers will continue with their activities. We are thinking of going to the Constitutional Court.
16.30
HDZ President and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković:
“We had a meeting of the HDZ presidency together with all ministers from our party. The goal was to explain my decision and its context.
There are three conclusions. First, I have received unanimous support of all members for the decision I made, which I was forced to make after three of MOST’s ministers decided to vote against the government proposal to reject the opposition’s demand to dismiss Finance Minister Zdravko Marić. Secondly, I have the full support to start the process of forming a new parliamentary majority, which would enable stability and the continuation of all legislative activities. Thirdly, if it turns out in the following period that there is no possibility to form a stable parliamentary majority, HDZ and myself are ready for new elections.
I expect that a parliamentary majority will be formed.”
16.10
Zlatko Hasanbegović, MP and member of the HDZ presidency:
''The presidency has accepted the Prime Minister’s decision. We will either have a new parliamentary majority or there will be new elections. I will decide how to vote when we see who the new majority is and under what conditions it will be formed.''
16.00
Milorad Pupovac, MP of the Serb national minority:
''We are not surprised by the decision taken by the Prime Minister. Croatia is in a serious situation. There is no doubt that we need a stable government and ruling coalition. It is up to the Prime Minister to take care of that. He should secure the majority as soon as possible.''
As for MP's of the Serb national minority, we will support the intention of the Prime Minister to form a united government, which will not have internal conflicts. I believe that all eight national minorities’ MP's will be united. Based on our discussions, there are no signs that we will not be united in the decision to help stabilise the government and the political situation.''
15.45
Živi Zid president Ivan Vilibor Sinčić:
''I am sorry that the Croatian government is not dealing with real problems, but is dealing with itself. MOST has been destabilising whole Croatia for two years. They have supported Finance Minister Marić for two years, and now, with declining support in the polls, they are pretending to be an opposition in government.
Živi Zid will not take part in any coalition reshuffle. We are responsible to our voters and we will remain in opposition. It would not be good to have a third set of parliamentary elections in two years. However, if parliamentary elections do happen, we are ready.
We have not been contacted by anyone, we cannot be bought. We will keep our promises.
I speak on behalf of three MP's of Živi Zid. We will have a meeting with coalition members later today. We believe that our coalition partners will stay with us.
We will vote against Finance Minister Marić. He will not have our support. Živi Zid will also vote for the dismissal of the thrree MOST ministers if it comes to parliament.''
15.00
HNS president Ivan Vrdoljak dismissed rumours that his party might replace MOST in the ruling coalition.
“HNS will not participate in government. We have said that a thousand times. We expect that Prime Minister Plenković will confirm very soon that he has parliamentary majority without MOST. We are in an unstable situation which demands responsibility.
HNS does not want early parliamentary elections. Not because we would be afraid of them, but because the third elections in 18 months would destabilise the political and economic system. We are all victims of this coalition of chaos. This is the second time that the whole of Croatia has become a victim to the relations between HDZ and MOST. This is a very difficult moment. We need stability, peace, and the continuation of positive economic results.
We have mentioned the formation of a national unity government as a theoretical possibility, but not as a realistic option.
HNS wants to contribute and send a clear political message that Croatia should be the priority for everybody in this serious situation. The time will tell when Plenković will demonstrate that he has the majority.
14.25
An emergency meeting of the HDZ party presidency is in progress.
14.15
SDP president Davor Bernardić held a press conference.
“Minister Zdravko Marić was Karamarko's candidate for the new prime minister last year. Obviously, there is some kind of a secret force, a kind of connection of interest which is keeping Marić within the government. This interest connection is much stronger than national interests, even than HDZ itself.
The Prime Minister is punishing those who have done the only reasonable thing they could do in this situation. SDP has insisted on a parliamentary debate about confidence in Minister Marić, and it would be a good idea to have that debate as soon as possible. SDP is ready to assume responsibility for Croatia, as we were prepared to rescue Croatia twice before from the abyss into which it was pushed by HDZ governments.
As for the possible coalition reshuffle, the Prime Minister has to show if he has the parliamentary majority. If he does not have it, he has to call new elections. SDP will not take part in any reshuffle.
It is clear that the two governments of HDZ and MOST have been holding the country in a constant state of paralysis, which prevents any progress,” said Bernardić.
13.45
Prime Minister Plenković held a press conference
“My political mission has one fundamental goal, and that is stability within Croatian society and less divisions. HDZ has achieved a relative, but convincing victory. We have formed a fair, partner government with MOST, which was my wish because I thought it would be enough for a stable government. I have a great obligation, honour and duty to lead the government.
In my everyday work, I communicated with all my colleagues within the government in exactly the same way, regardless of whether the ministers are members of HDZ, MOST or do not belong to any party.
When the situation with Finance Minister Zdravko Marić came about, we had a very simple situation, the issue of trust. If I, as the prime minister, propose to the government a decision to reject the demand for dismissal of a minister, then I expect a unanimous decision. Unfortunately, today there was no such decision. Ministers who are unable to support their colleagues cannot be members of my government. That is the only responsible move that others would do in my position.
There are no legal dilemmas regarding whether or not ministers can be dismissed. When they lose my confidence, I can dismiss them, without anyone having to co-sign the decision.
I want to reiterate that HDZ has been very fair and open to MOST. However, this is a situation where we cannot be in the same boat if one of the partners does not want to give a hand to the other. The government will go on, HDZ will go on. Croatia has a future and I will try to go in that direction.
I absolutely have the parliamentary majority. The number of MPs who have supported my government's work, all the major steps that this government has taken, there is much broader support. You will see it very quickly.
The idea of new parliamentary elections are not realistic, but if they do happen, I am ready.
12.45
Shortly before 1 pm, MOST leader and Speaker of Parliament Božo Petrov commented on Plenković’s decision.
“Plenković is trying to dismiss three successful ministers who have brought three billion from EU funds, who have implemented reforms of justice system and are fighting corruption. He has done that to save a minister who can no longer be a minister because he has to exclude himself from all decisions regarding Agrokor, the largest company in Croatia.
MOST is responsible for our four ministers. Finance Minister Marić is HDZ’s responsibility. We informed the Prime Minister one week ago that we would vote against Marić, expecting that they will solve the problem in their own courtyard. We cannot and will not bring down the government, but we will not support this minister. Plenković has to answer the question of whether or not he will bring down the government. One year ago, he called on the then HDZ president and Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Karamarko to stand down so that the stability of the country would not be compromised. HDZ is now, for the second time in a year, bringing down the government. MOST just wants the truth. Plenković has to say whether he wants the truth or whether he will continue with old politics.
Plenković will decide whether there will be a government coalition reshuffle or early parliamentary elections. We did not vote against the government, but only against one minister. MOST’s ministers have not been dismissed. For formal dismissal, it is necessary for the Speaker of Parliament to co-sign it or for the Parliament to debate the issue. The Prime Minister has not dismissed the ministers. At the moment, the government is not stable. But, stability is the responsibility of the Prime Minister. He is the one who decided to try to dismiss the ministers.” said Petrov.
