The Croatian Parliament was reconstituted without the presence of President Zoran Milanović, who had called the session. Gordan Jandroković of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) was re-elected as Speaker, receiving support from 144 lawmakers, with only six opposing. Ante Sanader of HDZ cited Jandroković’s “21 years of high political experience” as a key reason for his re-election.
The session was attended by the caretaker Prime Minister and HDZ leader, Andrej Plenković, who, when asked about his expectations for the new legislative session and the possibility of harsh discourse, responded cryptically, “It’s not up to us. I respond when necessary. Just look at what happened in Slovakia.”
Former Croatian Presidents Stjepan Mesić, Ivo Josipović, and Kolinda Grabar Kitarović were also present at the inaugural session. The parliamentary elections held on April 17 led to a coalition between Plenković’s HDZ and the Homeland Movement led by Ivan Penava, the mayor of Vukovar and a former member of HDZ who left the party due to disagreements with Plenković.
Last week, Plenković submitted a list to President Milanović with at least 76 signatures from parliamentarians, the minimum required to form a new government. If successful, this will mark Plenković’s third term at the helm of Croatia’s executive government.
