The main topic of the article is the initiative by the Croatian Peasant Liberal Party (HSLS) to introduce electronic voting in Croatia, aiming to increase voter turnout and strengthen trust in the electoral system. The State Secretary in the Ministry of the Interior, Nevenka Lastrić Đurić, emphasizes that electronic voting through the eGrađani system is realistically achievable and could help address the problem of low turnout, especially among young people. The initiative is part of a broader HSLS campaign, although the key parties in the ruling coalition, HDZ and SDP, oppose the introduction of electronic voting due to security and constitutional reasons. Lastrić Đurić highlights that security risks exist in both the physical and virtual worlds but believes these risks can be minimized and that the digitalization accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic has created favorable conditions for this change.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources tend to emphasize the democratic benefits of electronic voting, highlighting how it can increase political participation, especially among young voters, and strengthen democratic legitimacy. They may also focus on the need for modernization and digital inclusion as part of broader social progress.
Center: Center-leaning sources present a balanced view, acknowledging the potential benefits of electronic voting in increasing turnout and trust, while also recognizing the concerns about security and constitutional challenges. They often stress the importance of thorough testing and safeguards to ensure election integrity.
Right: Right-leaning sources often emphasize the risks and challenges associated with electronic voting, including concerns about hacking, data security, and the potential undermining of the electoral process. They may also highlight the opposition from major parties like HDZ and SDP, framing the initiative as politically contentious and constitutionally problematic.
