The coming weeks will not be easy for HDZ. It is hard to imagine that such a debacle will not be felt in the upcoming local elections.
By Jasmin Klarić
It would be unusual if no one raised the question of whether the ruling coalition still has any legitimacy to govern after such a defeat. But this is not Sweden. A negative answer to that question, no matter how logical, will not push anyone to resign.
In an interview with Telegram conducted a few days ago, Zoran Milanović stated that the result of the second round of elections would send a message to Andrej Plenković. When asked whether this meant it would be more about Plenković’s defeat than Milanović’s victory, Milanović declined to elaborate further.
On Sunday evening, however, after his devastatingly convincing victory, Milanović emphasized that the result was not a message to him but to those who hold power in the country. And that may be the key thing that will influence the political and social landscape of the country for a very long time after this evening.
Such an insanely convincing victory clearly shows not only what voters think of the candidate HDZ put forward against Milanović but also of a government that has held nearly all the keys to political power in the country for nine years. Correction—almost all.
‘This is worse than the 1990s’
With Sunday’s victory, HDZ would have gained complete control over the military and intelligence services. “This is worse than the 1990s,” one experienced Croatian politician told us on election night. And the voters’ message was, clearly, that they’ve had enough.
The coming weeks will not be easy for HDZ. It is hard to imagine that such a debacle will not affect the upcoming local elections, where any additional losses will sting even more. And it would be unusual if no one raised the question of whether the ruling coalition still has any legitimacy to govern after such a defeat.
But this is not Sweden. A negative answer to that question, no matter how logical, will not push anyone to resign.
Bound by the constitution
HDZ will fight tooth and nail to see its mandate through to the end, regardless of gritted teeth from the ground, internal turmoil, and, ultimately, whether or not Andrej Plenković remains with them.
Furthermore, it is hard to believe that they will accept the hand of cooperation that Milanović once again extended to them on election night, as required by the Constitution. But the consequences cannot be avoided. Such a thunderous message from voters, as delivered on Sunday night, will likely mark a point that divides time in Croatian politics this decade into “before” and “after.”
Source: Telegram.hr