The recent elections in Croatia have set the stage for a possible conflict between two prominent politicians, Milanović and the ruling party HDZ. According to the Associated Press, Milanović has been critical of the EU’s policy on the war in Ukraine, raising concerns about potential pro-Russian influences in the country similar to Hungary and Slovakia. Despite winning 42 seats in the election, Milanović’s SDP is unlikely to lead the government based on the election results.
The court’s decision further solidifies this by preventing Milanović from becoming a mandate holder even with support from smaller parties. The president of the Constitutional Court emphasized that Milanović was given ample time to resign, closing the door on his eligibility as a mandate holder. Opposition parties criticized the court’s decision, claiming it favored HDZ, while legal experts expressed disagreement with some emphasizing upholding constitutional-legal order and rule of law. Ultimately, it remains uncertain whether Milanović will be able to participate in future political events or hold any positions of power due to his failure to resign despite being advised to do so by legal authorities.