Croatian lawmakers vote in new government with far-right party ahead of European parliamentary election
- Croatian lawmakers have approved a new government that includes a far-right party.
- This move signifies a shift towards the political right in Croatia ahead of the upcoming European parliamentary election.
- The inclusion of the far-right party is expected to impact the political landscape in the European Union.
The new Croatian government is now led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who is starting his third term. The government includes the conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the hard-right Homeland Movement. The government was approved in a vote in the Croatian assembly. Plenkovic aims to focus on growing the economy and modernizing the country. Croatia's economy has improved since joining the EU in 2013 and adopting the euro last year. The country heavily relies on tourism along the Adriatic Sea. There are concerns that the ethnic balance in Croatia, established after the Serb-Croatian war, could be disrupted. Plenkovic promises to protect the rights of national minorities. However, there are worries about radicalization and divisions in society. Some political parties are pushing for changes that could affect minority groups and women's roles in society. The European Parliament election is approaching, and right-wing parties are gaining influence in several EU countries. Croatia's government shift to the right reflects a broader trend in European politics. Croatia has been a member of the EU since 2013 and joined the eurozone in the previous year.