President Milanović: Croatia Has Been in a Crisis for a Long Time because the Party’s Interests Are above the Interests of the State
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović talked to reporters during his stay In Delnice, commenting on today’s debate in the Croatian Parliament regarding his nomination of Zlata Đurđević for President of the Supreme Court, and the current situation related to the coronavirus vaccination in Croatia.
Reporters asked him why he didn’t go to Parliament to defend his nomination, and he replied: “It is not the place of the President of the Republic to be in Parliament, except when protocol requires it for state holidays. I’ve said everything I have to say. I’m fascinated with the fact that they even came up with the idea to call me as the proposer to Parliament. I nominated an individual, and she can speak for herself, she’s got integrity and a stance”. President Milanović noted that his going to Parliament to justify his choice for the post would be a precedent, and the situation is different when it is about a bill. However, he reminded that the President of the Republic does not propose bills.
Asked whether a constitutional crisis could occur if a new President of the Supreme Court is not appointed by then, President Milanović said: “Croatia has been in a crisis for a long time considering that it is ruled by the principle whereby the party’s interests are above those of the state. We cannot call everything a constitutional crisis, but this is uncalled for”. Asked further about an eventual proposal for a different person to be at the head of the Supreme Court, the President of the Republic stated that we have to wait, and that his interest is to have people of integrity in leading positions and people who are independent in making decisions.
The President also commented on today’s crowds in Zagreb during the coronavirus vaccination. “We know that people are cautious, restrained, they do not wish to venture into something unknown, but that will take its toll on society and on those who do not wish to get the vaccine. On the one hand, it is good news that there are crowds at the Zagreb Fair, I hope it’s not overly crowded and that order will be restored”, he said, and reminded that all those who get vaccinated will live a somewhat more normal life, but that some are afraid and this issue will not be resolved by force.