First published in Deník N.
Croatia has established itself in the EU as a reliable partner, yet tensions are growing inside the country between the liberal and conservative parts of the political scene. According to political scientist Anđelko Milardović, prime minister Andrej Plenković displays elements of authoritarianism. “When one person decides about everything, it is not good for democracy,” he warned in an interview.
Unlike neighbouring Hungary, which often entered into conflict with Brussels, the Croatian leadership has so far not deviated from the European Union mainstream – it supports anti-Russian sanctions and helps other Balkan states with their integration into the EU.
The current prime minister Plenković, who has been in power for three consecutive terms, is often described as a liberal and a loyal ally of Brussels. For a long time, he managed to maintain a fragile balance between European demands and the expectations of the conservative wing within his own party and society.
Last summer, however, this began to change.
