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Presidential candidates on the European perspectives of Croatia’s neighbors

by AI | 27.Dec 2024 | Europe in brief AI

One of the topics of the pre-election debate for the presidential elections in Croatia was how to approach the European ambitions of neighboring countries. There is a consensus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia is being asked to resolve certain issues remaining from the war.

Confrontation of presidential candidates ahead of the presidential elections Zagreb, 23.12.2024 - The confrontation of presidential candidates ahead of the presidential elections on HRT. In the picture Miro Bulj, candidate of Most, independent candidate Tomislav Jonjić, candidate of Možemo Ivana Kekin, candidate of the party Dom i nacionalno okupljanje Branka Lozo, current president Zoran Milanović, candidate of SDP and partners, Dragan Primorac, candidate of HDZ and partners, independent candidate Marija Selak Raspudić, independent candidate Niko Tokić Kartelo. photo HINA/ POOL/ Damir SENČAR/ ds

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ZAGREB – All eight presidential candidates during the debate on HRT mostly agreed that the rights of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina need to be protected and to help that country become an EU member, but they were not unanimous about whether Serbia should be blocked from entering the EU until certain issues are resolved.

Miro Bulj (Most) and Branka Lozo (DOMiNO) are for blocking Serbia until the issue of missing persons and war reparations is resolved. Možemo! candidate Ivana Kekin agreed that the issue of missing persons is crucial, emphasizing that it is in Croatia’s interest to have a civic and democratic option in power in Serbia. The candidate of HDZ and the ruling majority partners, Dragan Primorac, sets as conditions the opening of JNA archives and information about the Vukovar hospital, while criticizing the current president and SDP candidate and partners Zoran Milanović for meetings with Milorad Dodik.

Independent Tomislav Jonjić opposes Serbia’s entry into the EU until it apologizes for the Greater Serbian aggression, while Niko Tokić Kartelo (independent) said he is against any blockade and favors dialogue. Milanović, on the other hand, stated that Serbia must only decide and determine, and a solution can be found if there is cooperation, emphasizing the importance of dialogue with Serbia. “There are no negotiations with the Glina agitator,” emphasized independent candidate Marija Selak Raspudić, referring to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

During the debate, among other things, Tokić Kartelo accused the other candidates of being uninspired and that none of them offer concrete solutions, and that one of the candidates is stuck in the past.

The candidates mostly agreed that the rights of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina need to be protected and to help that country become an EU member. “We have a constitutional, legal, and moral obligation towards Croats in BiH,” says Jonjić.

“We will enable Croats in BiH to move towards the EU,” emphasized Primorac, and others sent similar messages. (December 23, 2024.)

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