ZAGREB, 24 June 2021 - Social Democratic Party MP Arsen Bauk said on Thursday the incumbent parliament would not succeed in appointing a new Supreme Court president because of the "tough cohabitation" between Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and President Zoran Milanović.
MPs today debated Milanović's candidate for that post, Zlata Đurđević. The ruling majority and part of the opposition said they would not vote for her tomorrow.
The debate convinced us that she is a good candidate but will not be elected because there is no agreement between Milanović and Plenković, Bauk said, adding that the "biggest compliment" to Đurđević was that the ruling HDZ party was against her appointment.
He said she was not acceptable to the ruling majority because she was recommended by Milanović, who belongs to the opposite political group.
Bauk said it was pointless to debate Đurđević's qualities because, in the existing system, even the best candidate would be exposed to the worst criticism.
He said the "main problem" occurred when Milanović would not participate in the "consensual judiciary" established by the HDZ.
Damir Habijan of the HDZ denied that the problem was that Đurđević was recommended by Milanović, reiterating the HDZ's argument that she disqualified herself by applying for the post in an illegal procedure.
MPs said it was clear that Đurđević would not be appointed tomorrow, with HDZ whip Branko Bačić saying this would not cause a crisis and that they expected a new call for applications.
Independent MP Milan Vrkljan said the appointment of Đurđević would be "an insult to all who felt after WWII how the communist ideology works. In her job, she was not guided by the profession but ideology."
Mišel Jakšić (SDP) said the main problem was that Croatia was the worst in the EU in terms of perception of the judiciary. He said the debate should have focused on change and whether "we wish to shake up the judicial caste."
He said there was no stain in Đurđević's biography and that "the judicial caste needs fresh blood."
Dalija Orešković of Centre said Milanović and his rhetoric was the main reason why Đurđević would not be appointed.
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