Croatia is witnessing a full-blown drama over the appointment of the Supreme Court president. President Zoran Milanović’s pick, Sandra Artuković Kunšt, was brutally rejected in Parliament with only 31 votes in favor and a whopping 82 against! And if you think the debate was serious, think again — it resembled a political wrestling match with more singing than arguing. Speaker Gordan Jandroković even quoted controversial singer Thompson, while MPs traded barbs.
Arsen Bauk from the SDP slammed the entire process, saying he didn’t hear a single solid argument against Milanović’s candidate except a dislike for stylistic choices. He bitterly concluded the procedure succeeded but the “patient died” — because without the prime minister’s positive opinion, no one gets appointed. “The clear message is you won’t get to the Supreme Court unless you pass the party’s test,” Bauk said, hinting at party control over the judiciary.
HDZ’s Nikola Mažar defended the transparency of the selection and respect for laws but pointed out issues with the candidate’s expertise and views, especially her alleged anarchist worldview and stances on banks and the Lex Perković law. The prime minister apparently holds the Supreme Court hostage until he finds a candidate who impresses him, which Urša Raukar Gamulin from Možemo calls a clear sign of a one-party system in Croatia.
Marija Selak Raspudić from the Independent MPs club isn’t impressed either, saying the candidate is too politically connected to Milanović and shouldn’t lead the Supreme Court. The problem is that quality judges are discouraged from applying due to these political games, ironically noted Anka Mrak Taritaš.
This saga exposes a deep crisis in Croatia’s judiciary, where politics and party power suffocate justice and scare off professionals. If this is the future of justice, we better brace for more chaos and unfairness. What do you think? Is this a fight for justice or just another show for the public? Drop your thoughts and let’s see who’s on which side of this judicial soap opera!
