engleski

The Political System and Politics of the Republic of Croatia

This text interprets the complex historical, social and political context in which the Republic of Croatia achieved its independence. This process involved the Homeland War, as well as the transformation of Croatian society, from a socialist one-party system into multi-party democracy which has been developing during the last 25 years. The chapter contains a short, concise overview of the most important provisions in the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, which represent the foundation of the Croatian legal and political system, and there is an overview of the constitutional changes which have been made since Croatia achieved independence. The three branches of power in Croatia are also explained. This covers the work of the Croatian parliament (Sabor) and its legislative powers. It also covers the roles and powers of the Croatian government (Vlada) and the President of the Republic of Croatia as the holders of executive power – focusing in particular on the change in the political system from the semi-presidential system of the 1990s to the parliamentary system which has been in place since the year 2000. And finally, there is an overview of the Croatian courts as the independent, third branch of judicial power. This includes an explanation of the power and role of the Constitutional Court. This chapter also includes a short history of democratic elections in Croatia, including the voting models which have been used, and the election results and their effect on the social, political, and economic state of the country. Within this context the author comments on Croatian politics and its main actors: political parties, their character, history, and their interrelations. As well as looking at the state administration, the author also gives an overview of the Croatian system of regional division and local self-government, including an explanation of their powers. The chapter ends with a look at Croatia in the context of international relations, given the fact that on July 1, 2013, it became a full member of the European Union.

Croatia ; political system ; politics ; democratic transition

nije evidentirano