Croatian Elections Leave Uncertainty over Government and Eligibility for EU Parliament.

The recent elections in Croatia were dominated by two politicians, with implications for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June. One of the candidates, 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 Social Democratic Party (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. However, opposition parties criticized the court’s decision, claiming it favored the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).

Legal experts varied in their reactions to the decision, with some expressing disagreement while others emphasizing the importance of upholding the constitutional-legal order and rule of law. Ultimately, it seems that Milanović has not resigned from his position as required under Croatian law and cannot therefore be considered eligible to lead any future government or become prime minister according to Associated Press.