President Milanović: Croatia’s representation in the European Council is a matter for serious discussion because the Prime Minister is usurping constitutional powers

“Croatia is a member of NATO; Serbia is not, and it is up to them to decide where they are headed and what they will do. But as long as our neighbouring country continues to acquire weapons systems that draw attention, every normal state will ask: what do you need them for? These are not Lego bricks – they are lethal weapons systems. And that is not all. There are also rocket launchers they purchased from our ‘strategic allies’ in Israel, who sell them to anyone. This concerns us as well, because our closest neighbour is acquiring systems that we do not currently possess. That means we will have to acquire them too. I see it as part of my job to warn about this,” said the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović during a working visit to Montenegro, commenting on Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s reaction after President Milanović raised Serbia’s military build-up at the NATO Summit.

“I was not inciting hostility against Serbia. Vučić knows that I have a great deal of understanding for Serbia – sometimes even too much – and that Croatian Serbs, of whom there are still many, voted for me, not for him. And I am a Croat. He should think about that,” he added, explaining that no one at NATO reacted to his warning yesterday, “but it is my duty to say it.”

Speaking about the outstanding issues between Croatia and Montenegro, President Milanović said: “Some matters still need to be resolved, but I do not see anything that constitutes a serious obstacle.” “The border issue should be settled. It is clear what belongs to Croatia and what belongs to Montenegro. It is a matter of the strength and credibility of the current authorities in Montenegro to resolve it and emerge politically unscathed,” he said, adding that the Montenegrin side “should make some kind of gesture” regarding the Morinj camp as well.

Responding to a question from reporters, he also commented on the planned joint procurement of transport aircraft that Croatia had agreed with several other European Union member states. “Yesterday I expressed my general support for it. However, in the meantime I learned that the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces had raised concerns and stated that it is not the best solution. Our armed forces need something else. That is the official position of the Croatian Armed Forces, as represented by the General Staff. But the HDZ decided otherwise, and that is how things have been functioning all along,” President Milanović warned.

He confirmed that he had also discussed the matter with Minister Anušić in Ankara. “I asked him what the Croatian Armed Forces thought, and he told me: ‘It’s fine.’ Then I spoke to others, and it turns out it is not fine,” the President said, reiterating that “this is an example of a procurement for which I know with certainty that the General Staff expressed reservations.”

“The military will not object. The Government can spend money on whatever it wants. It will buy an aircraft, and we will have to contribute to the cost of maintaining it, even though we will never need an aircraft with that level of capacity. Why we opted for this, I do not know. But I speak with the military – with the people to whom I am formally superior as the Commander in Chief. I cannot stop Plenković and Anušić from buying something, but this is yet another example of money being spent in a way that is not optimal,” President Milanović explained. He added that “the political leadership – Plenković and Anušić – should hit the brakes and hold consultations to find out why the military believes this is not a good solution.”

Following the Prime Minister’s sharp reactions concerning the Constitution’s clearly defined provisions on Croatia’s representation in the European Council, President Milanović said: “I raised this because I will not allow constitutional powers and responsibilities to be manipulated, usurped, or stolen. The Constitution states that representing Croatia in the European Council is a responsibility shared by both the Government and the President of the Republic. It does not say that it is the private property of the HDZ and Andrej Plenković. It is a shared constitutional power, depending on the respective competences. Circumstances have changed: the European Council used to deal primarily with the economy; now it deals with war. Is that within the competence of the President of the Republic? Yes.”

President Milanović explained that this does not mean he should automatically represent Croatia in the European Council, but rather that “we should do it as we agree – but first we have to reach an agreement.” “This is a matter for serious discussion between someone who has twice received a direct mandate from the citizens and someone who is the Prime Minister and has not received such a mandate, although he is the Prime Minister. Would it be fair for the President of the Republic to attend every fourth meeting when such issues are on the agenda? Once me, three times him. Or half and half. That is what the Constitution says,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister “cannot avoid this discussion simply because he wants to appropriate powers that do not belong to him.”

“Zlatko Dalić was extraordinarily successful. He became a genuine global star. The teams he led consistently finished second in the world, third in the world, and reached the UEFA Nations League final against Spain. With all due respect to everyone else, finishing second in the world is extraordinary. Those are phenomenal achievements. He is leaving crowned with glory. What he chooses to do next is his private matter. I wish him all the best and congratulate him,” President Milanović said regarding Zlatko Dalić’s departure as head coach of the Croatian national football team.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana-Marija Katić