Croatia - March 2024

After President Zoran Milanović declared his intention to run for Prime Minister in the 17 April elections on behalf of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Constitutional Court asserted that Milanović could only pursue this candidacy if he resigned from his presidential position first. This decision was based on Article 96 of the Constitution, which prohibits the president from engaging in any other public or professional duties, emphasizing the non-partisan nature of the role and the prohibition of involvement in political party activities. President Milanović said that the Constitutional Court cannot do anything to him, that he would disregard its warning and that a potential annulment of elections by the Court would amount to a coup. Subsequently, he faced accusations of employing campaign rhetoric, prompting the State Election Commission to urge the President to abstain from direct involvement in election campaigning.

Sources: Hrvatska radiotelevizija (1), Hrvatska radiotelevizijav (2), Hrvatska radiotelevizija (3), N1 Info, Balkan Insight

On 14 March, Parliament approved “anti-leaks” amendments to the Criminal Code, despite petitions and protests from journalists and civil society. Article 307a states that anyone involved in a judicial or criminal proceeding who discloses non-public information without authorisation may face up to three years in prison. Journalists are exempt from being charged. The bill, proposed by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, passed with the support of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party. Critics argue that the amendments restrict freedom of speech, restrict access to information, and conceal corruption. The government said the aim is to "safeguard the presumption of innocence" and "protect the personal rights of those under investigation." The amendments, signed by President Zoran Milanović, took effect in March, though the President has criticized them and stated he would pardon anyone convicted for leaking information. 

Sources: Narodne Novine, President of the Republic of Croatia, Deutsche Welle, ARTICLE 19