The Republic of Croatia, a former Yugoslavian republic, has developed a representative democracy, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Political System

The Republic of Croatia is considered a presidential/parliamentary representative democratic republic, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Zagreb. The country declared its independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991. The republic officially celebrates its independence on October 8. The Croatian Parliament voted for independence on June 25, 1991, but the decision to sever constitutional ties with Yugoslavia was not adopted until October 8, 1991. The three-month delay allowed the European Community to peacefully solve the Yugoslavian governmental crisis.

Croatia’s current constitution was originally adopted on December 22, 1990, and revised in 2000 and 2001. The document allows for universal suffrage at 18 years of age, or 16 years old, if employed.

Administrative Regions

The Republic of Croatia consists of 20 counties (zupanije) and one city:

• City of Zagreb
• Bjelovar-Bilogora
• Brod-Posavina
• Dubrovnik-Neretva
• Istria
• Karlovac
• Koprivnica-Krizevci
• Krapina-Zagorje
• Lika-Senj
• Medimurje
• Osijek-Baranja
• Pozega-Slavonia
• Primorje-Gorski Kotar
• Sibenik-Knin
• Sisak-Moslavina
• Split-Dalmatia
• Varaždin
• Virovitica-Podravina
• Vukovar-Srijem
• Zadar
• Zagreb

Executive Branch

The President is Croatia’s chief of state. This person is elected by popular vote to a five year term, and is eleigible for a second term. Stjepan Mesic, the current President, was elected to the position on December 23, 2003.

The head of government is the Prime Minister. The leader of the majority party or coalition is typically appointed to this position by the President and approved by the Assembly. Ivo Sanader, the current Prime Minister, began his official duties on December 9, 2003. His two Deputy Prime Ministers are Jadranka Kosor and Damir Polancec.

All members of the Council of Ministers are named by the Prime Minister and approved by the parliamentary Assembly. The current ministers are:

• Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management - Petar Cobankovic
• Culture - Bozo Biskupic
• Defense - Berislav Roncevic
• Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship - Branko Vukelic
• Environmental Protection,Physical Planning and Contruction - Marina Matulovic Dropulic
• Finance - Ivan Suker
• Foreign Affairs and European Integration - Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic
• Health and Social Welfare - Neven Ljubicic
• Interior - Ivica Kirin
• Justice - Ana Lovrin
• Science, Education, and Sports - Dragan Primorac
• Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development - Bozidar Kalmeta

Legislative Branch

The Croatian Assembly (Sabor) is a unicameral body consisting of 152 officials. Members are elected from party lists by popular vote to serve four year terms.

The current structure of the Assembly, by political party is (number of seats):

• Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) - 63
• Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP) - 34
• Croatian People's Party (HNS) - 11
• Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) - 9
• Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) 7
• Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) - 4
• Croatian Democratic Congress of Slavonia and Baranja (HDSSB) - 3
• Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) - 3
• Croatian Pensioner Party (HSU) - 3
• Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) - 3
• Others 12

Judicial Branch

The country’s judicial branch consists of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts. Judges for both courts are appointed to eight years terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the Assembly.

Legal System

The Croatian legal system is based on Austro-Hungarian law, with Communist law influences. The country has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.

References

Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007.

Government of the Republic of Croatia Official Website.

Republic of Croatia Official Website.