Government of Croatia
Encyclopedia
The Government of the Republic of Croatia , commonly abbreviated to Croatian Government , is the main element of the executive branch of government in Croatia
. It is led by the President of the Government , commonly abbreviated to premier
. Prime Minister is nominated by the President of the Republic
among those who enjoy the support of majority of the Croatian Parliament, and chosen by the Parliament. There are 18 other members of the government, serving as deputy presidents of the government, government ministers or both—nominated by the Prime Minister and approved by the Parliament. The Government of the Republic of Croatia exercises its executive powers in conformity with the Croatian Constitution and legislation enacted by the Croatian Parliament. The current government
is led by prime minister Jadranka Kosor
.
Following the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement of 1868, Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia
and the Government of the Land , headed by crown-appointed Ban were established. The government existed until breakup of Austria-Hungary
and creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1918. In 1939, Banovina of Croatia
was established and a head of the Banovina of Croatia was appointed, but no effective government was formed before the World War II
. In 1943, the ZAVNOH established an executive board to act as a new government. Croatia
, while a part of the Yugoslavia, had its government, with limited powers as all the previous forms of government. Following the first multi-party elections
and adoption of the present Constitution of Croatia
in 1990, the present form of government was adopted and Stjepan Mesić
became the first person to hold title of the Prime Minister of Croatia, while Franjo Gregurić
was the first prime minister of independent Croatia
. Since collapse of Communism, the Republic of Croatia had a total of 11 governments headed by eight different prime ministers. Eight governments were formed by the Croatian Democratic Union
, two by the Social Democratic Party of Croatia
and one was a national unity government
, formed during the peak of the Croatian War of Independence
.
, Legislative branch
(the Parliament of Croatia
) and Judicial branch
(the Judiciary of Croatia) as well as other forms of government and civil services which are part of the Politics of Croatia
. The term is also used by the government itself, the press and colloquially to mean the executive branch alone, as the branch of the government is responsible for day-to-day governance of the nation—this is the sense intended when it is said that a political party forms the Government.
The Government of Croatia, the main executive power of the Croatian state, is headed by the prime minister, who has six deputy presidents of the government, four of whom also serve as government ministers and 12 other ministers, appointed by the prime minister with the consent of the Sabor, in charge of particular sectors of activity. The executive branch
is responsible for proposing legislation and a budget, executing the laws, and guiding the foreign and internal policies of the republic. Government's official residence
is at Banski dvori
in Zagreb
. Even though the cabinet normally meets at Banski dvori, occasionally the meetings are held elsewhere in the country.
The Government of the Republic of Croatia exercises its executive powers in conformity with the Croatian Constitution and legislation enacted by the Croatian Parliament—Sabor . Its structure, operational procedures and decision-making processes are defined by the Government of the Republic of Croatia Act and the Government Rules of Procedure. The Constitution mandates that the Government proposes legislation and other documents to the parliament, proposes the budget
and financial reports, implements Acts and other decisions of the parliament, enacts regulations required to implement the Acts, defines foreign
and internal policies, directs and oversees operation of state administration, oversees economic development of the country, directs activities and development of public services and performs other activities conforming to provisions of the Constitution and applicable legislation. The Government also passes regulations, administrative acts and orders on appointments and relief of appointed officials and civil servants within scope of its powers. The Government makes rulings in cases of conflicts of jurisdiction between government institutions, responds to parliamentary representatives' questions, prepares proposals of new legislation and other regulations, gives opinions on legislation and other regulations and adopts strategies of economic and social development of the country.
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The Government manages property of the Republic of Croatia unless special legislation provides otherwise. Also, it may appoint special committees to manage the property on its behalf. The process is implemented through appointed members of supervisory board
s and managing boards
of companies partially or wholly owned by the Republic of Croatia, and determines their salaries. The Government maintains specialized bodies, agencies and offices, including the Legislation Office, the Public Relations Office and the Office for National Minorities which are required by the Government Act of 1998, as well as committees to decide administrative matters. Various branches of government may establish joint services. There are further entities established by the government as companies designed to support aims of the Government, such as the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development whose goal is to fund reconstruction and development of the economy of Croatia
. Local government is separate from the central government, latter maintains a State Administration Office in each county, subordinated to the Ministry of Administration.
The Government is responsible
to the Croatian Parliament, and the parliament may recall the Government as a whole or any members of the Government following a request for a confidence vote by one fifth of the parliament members or the prime minister, by a simple majority vote. The Prime Minister and the members of the Government are jointly responsible for decisions passed by the Government and individually responsible for their respective portfolios. Pursuant to a vote of confidence by the Croatian Parliament for the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister, and the appointment is counter-signed by the Speaker of the parliament. Appointments of members of the Government are issued by the Prime Minister and counter-signed by the Speaker of the parliament. The rules of procedure and regulations enacted by the Government must be published in Narodne Novine
—the official gazette of Croatia.
.
The prime minister and the PM deputies represent the core cabinet, which monitors and discusses operation of the government and may hold preliminary discussions on any matter performed by the government. The core cabinet may act as the government in emergencies when the government is unable to meet, however its decisions need be verified at the next government session to remain in force. Government secretary coordinates agencies, offices and other services subordinated to the government.
. As of 2011, Deputy Prime Ministers are Petar Čobanković
, Gordan Jandroković
, Darko Milinović
, Domagoj Ivan Milošević, Božidar Pankretić and Slobodan Uzelac
. Government ministers are from the Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ) and the Croatian Peasant Party
(HSS).
's Council acted as an administrative body governing Croatia within the Austrian Empire
as a provisional government while the council existed, until 1850. Following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 and the subsequent Croatian–Hungarian Settlement of 1868, Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia
was established along with the Government of the Land , headed by crown-appointed Ban. The establishment was carried out during appointment of Ban Levin Rauch
. Authority of the government continued until breakup of Austria-Hungary
and creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1918. In total, 15 Bans acted as head of the government in the period. Cvetković–Maček Agreement was made in 1939, and it established the Banovina of Croatia
and appointed Ivan Šubašić
as Ban to head the Croatian government. Still, an effective government was not formed before onset of the World War II
. In June 1943, the National Anti-Fascist Council of the People's Liberation of Croatia established an 11-member executive board to act as new government of Croatia. Communist-ruled Croatia
, a part of the Yugoslavia, maintained its own government, of similarly limited powers to all preceding forms of government since the 19th century. The government was appointed by and responsible to the Sabor. During the Communist era, there were 14 governments of Croatia. The official name of the government was Executive Council of the Sabor . Following the parliamentary elections
and adoption of the present Constitution of Croatia
in 1990, the present form of government was adopted. On 30 May 1990, Stjepan Mesić
became the first person to hold title of the Prime Minister of Croatia, and Franjo Gregurić
was the first prime minister of independent Croatia
, as he held the office on 8 October 1991 when the declaration of independence came into effect.
, who would later go on to become the President of Croatia
. That government was formed by the Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ), as were seven other governments of Croatia. Two governments were formed by the Social Democratic Party of Croatia
(SDP) and one was a national unity government
, representing a wide coalition of political parties, formed during the peak of the Croatian War of Independence
, between July 1991 and August 1992, with Franjo Gregurić
as the prime minister.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. It is led by the President of the Government , commonly abbreviated to premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
. Prime Minister is nominated by the President of the Republic
President of Croatia
The President of Croatia , officially styled the President of the Republic represents the Republic of Croatia in the country and abroad as the head of state, maintains the regular and coordinated operation and stability of the national government system, and safeguards the independence and...
among those who enjoy the support of majority of the Croatian Parliament, and chosen by the Parliament. There are 18 other members of the government, serving as deputy presidents of the government, government ministers or both—nominated by the Prime Minister and approved by the Parliament. The Government of the Republic of Croatia exercises its executive powers in conformity with the Croatian Constitution and legislation enacted by the Croatian Parliament. The current government
Cabinet of Jadranka Kosor
The first Cabinet of Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor was announced on 6 July, 2009. It is the 11th cabinet of Croatia, and came into existence after Prime Minister Ivo Sanader had abruptly resigned on 1 July 2009 and named Kosor as his successor...
is led by prime minister Jadranka Kosor
Jadranka Kosor
Jadranka Kosor is a Croatian politician and former journalist. She is the current Prime Minister of Croatia, having taken office on July 6, 2009, following the sudden resignation of her predecessor Ivo Sanader. She is Croatia's first female Prime Minister since independence.-Early life:Jadranka...
.
Following the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement of 1868, Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia
Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia
The Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia or Croatia Slavonia was an autonomous kingdom within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was part of the Hungarian Kingdom within the dual Austro-Hungarian state, being within the Lands of the Crown of St. Stephen or Transleithania...
and the Government of the Land , headed by crown-appointed Ban were established. The government existed until breakup of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
and creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1918. In 1939, Banovina of Croatia
Banovina of Croatia
The Banovina of Croatia or Banate of Croatia was a province of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia between 1939 and 1943 . Its capital was at Zagreb and it included most of present-day Croatia along with portions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia...
was established and a head of the Banovina of Croatia was appointed, but no effective government was formed before the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1943, the ZAVNOH established an executive board to act as a new government. Croatia
Socialist Republic of Croatia
Socialist Republic of Croatia was a sovereign constituent country of the second Yugoslavia. It came to existence during World War II, becoming a socialist state after the war, and was also renamed four times in its existence . It was the second largest republic in Yugoslavia by territory and...
, while a part of the Yugoslavia, had its government, with limited powers as all the previous forms of government. Following the first multi-party elections
Croatian parliamentary election, 1990
Parliamentary elections were held in Croatia on 22 April 1990, with a second round of voting on 6 May. The first free elections since multi-party politics were introduced, they resulted in a victory for the Croatian Democratic Union, which won 55 of the 80 seats...
and adoption of the present Constitution of Croatia
Constitution of Croatia
The current Constitution of the Republic of Croatia was adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia on December 22, 1990. It replaced the Constitution of 1974 ratified in socialist Yugoslavia...
in 1990, the present form of government was adopted and Stjepan Mesić
Stjepan Mesić
Stjepan "Stipe" Mesić is a Croatian politician and former President of Croatia. Before his ten-year presidential term between 2000 and 2010 he held the posts of Speaker of the Croatian Parliament , Prime Minister of Croatia , the last President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia , Secretary General...
became the first person to hold title of the Prime Minister of Croatia, while Franjo Gregurić
Franjo Greguric
Franjo Gregurić is a Croatian politician who served as prime minister of Croatia from July 1991 to September 1992.Gregurić was born in the Zagorje village of Lobor. He attended the Technical highschool in Zagreb, and then the Technical Faculty of the University of Zagreb...
was the first prime minister of independent Croatia
Croatian independence referendum, 1991
An independence referendum was held in Croatia on 19 May 1991. The result was 95.7% in favour, with a turnout of 83.6%.-Background:The Croatian parliament made the decision to hold the referendum on 2 May.-Results:-Aftermath:...
. Since collapse of Communism, the Republic of Croatia had a total of 11 governments headed by eight different prime ministers. Eight governments were formed by the Croatian Democratic Union
Croatian Democratic Union
The Croatian Democratic Union is the main center-right political party in Croatia. It is the biggest and strongest individual Croatian party since independence of Croatia. The Christian democratic HDZ governed Croatia from 1990 to 2000 and, in partial coalition, from 2003...
, two by the Social Democratic Party of Croatia
Social Democratic Party of Croatia
Social Democratic Party of Croatia , commonly referred to in Croatia as simply Social Democratic Party , is the largest centre-left political party in Croatia...
and one was a national unity government
National unity government
A national unity government, government of national unity, or national union government is a broad coalition government consisting of all parties in the legislature, usually formed during a time of war or other national emergency.- Canada :During World War I the Conservative government of Sir...
, formed during the peak of the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
.
Terminology
The term Government of Croatia can have a number of different meanings. At its widest, it can refer collectively to the three traditional branches of government—the Executive branchExecutive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
, Legislative branch
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
(the Parliament of Croatia
Parliament of Croatia
The Parliament of Croatia or the Sabor is the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Croatia and legislature of the country. Under the terms of the Croatian Constitution, represents the people and is vested with the legislative power...
) and Judicial branch
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
(the Judiciary of Croatia) as well as other forms of government and civil services which are part of the Politics of Croatia
Politics of Croatia
The politics of Croatia are defined by a parliamentary representative democratic republic framework, where the Prime Minister of Croatia is the head of government, in a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government and the President of Croatia. Legislative power is vested in...
. The term is also used by the government itself, the press and colloquially to mean the executive branch alone, as the branch of the government is responsible for day-to-day governance of the nation—this is the sense intended when it is said that a political party forms the Government.
Powers of the Government
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
is responsible for proposing legislation and a budget, executing the laws, and guiding the foreign and internal policies of the republic. Government's official residence
Official residence
An official residence is the residence at which heads of state, heads of government, gubernatorial or other senior figures officially reside...
is at Banski dvori
Banski dvori
Banski dvori |Courts]] of the Ban) is the name of the historical building on the west side of St. Mark's Square in Zagreb, Croatia. It is the historical official residence of the Croatian Bans, who where the Croatian Viceroys after 1102...
in Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
. Even though the cabinet normally meets at Banski dvori, occasionally the meetings are held elsewhere in the country.
The Government of the Republic of Croatia exercises its executive powers in conformity with the Croatian Constitution and legislation enacted by the Croatian Parliament—Sabor . Its structure, operational procedures and decision-making processes are defined by the Government of the Republic of Croatia Act and the Government Rules of Procedure. The Constitution mandates that the Government proposes legislation and other documents to the parliament, proposes the budget
Government budget
A government budget is a legal document that is often passed by the legislature, and approved by the chief executive-or president. For example, only certain types of revenue may be imposed and collected...
and financial reports, implements Acts and other decisions of the parliament, enacts regulations required to implement the Acts, defines foreign
Foreign relations of Croatia
The following page shows the foreign relations of Croatia from past history, current events, international disputes and foreign support.-History:...
and internal policies, directs and oversees operation of state administration, oversees economic development of the country, directs activities and development of public services and performs other activities conforming to provisions of the Constitution and applicable legislation. The Government also passes regulations, administrative acts and orders on appointments and relief of appointed officials and civil servants within scope of its powers. The Government makes rulings in cases of conflicts of jurisdiction between government institutions, responds to parliamentary representatives' questions, prepares proposals of new legislation and other regulations, gives opinions on legislation and other regulations and adopts strategies of economic and social development of the country.
Supervisory board
A supervisory board or supervisory committee, often called board of directors, is a group of individuals chosen by the stockholders of a company to promote their interests through the governance of the company and to hire and supervise the executive directors and CEO.Corporate governance varies...
s and managing boards
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of companies partially or wholly owned by the Republic of Croatia, and determines their salaries. The Government maintains specialized bodies, agencies and offices, including the Legislation Office, the Public Relations Office and the Office for National Minorities which are required by the Government Act of 1998, as well as committees to decide administrative matters. Various branches of government may establish joint services. There are further entities established by the government as companies designed to support aims of the Government, such as the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development whose goal is to fund reconstruction and development of the economy of Croatia
Economy of Croatia
Economy of Croatia is a service-based economy with the tertiary sector accounting for 70% of total gross domestic product . Croatian GDP in 2010 was 335.5 billion Croatian Kuna and contracted by 1.4% year-on-year...
. Local government is separate from the central government, latter maintains a State Administration Office in each county, subordinated to the Ministry of Administration.
The Government is responsible
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
to the Croatian Parliament, and the parliament may recall the Government as a whole or any members of the Government following a request for a confidence vote by one fifth of the parliament members or the prime minister, by a simple majority vote. The Prime Minister and the members of the Government are jointly responsible for decisions passed by the Government and individually responsible for their respective portfolios. Pursuant to a vote of confidence by the Croatian Parliament for the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister, and the appointment is counter-signed by the Speaker of the parliament. Appointments of members of the Government are issued by the Prime Minister and counter-signed by the Speaker of the parliament. The rules of procedure and regulations enacted by the Government must be published in Narodne Novine
Narodne novine
Narodne novine is the official gazette of the Republic of Croatia which publishes laws, regulations, appointments and official decisions and releases them in the public domain...
—the official gazette of Croatia.
| Offices of the Government of Croatia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Responsibilities |
| Office of the President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia | Advisory, analytical and administrative services to the prime minister |
| Legislation Office | Furnishing opinions on compliance of proposed legislation with the constitution |
| Public Relations Office | Informing the public about activities of the Government |
| Office for Protocol | Organisational and technical tasks required by the Government or the President of Croatia |
| General Administration Office of the Croatian Government and Parliament | Administrative, analytical, financial and other tasks required by the Government or the Parliament of Croatia |
| Office for National Minorities | Implementation of national minority rights policies |
| Office for Cooperation with NGOs | Cooperation with NGOs |
| Office for Human Rights | Development, implementation and monitoring of human rights protection and promotion systems |
| Office for Internal Supervision | Internal audit service for Government bodies and offices and other entities financed through the budget |
| Office for Social Partnership | Supervising, coordination and reporting on social partnership activities at national and local levels |
| Office for Prevention of Drugs Abuse | Performs activities defined by the Intoxicating Drugs Abuse Act |
| Office for Gender Equality | Performance of activities related to administrative tasks regarding gender equality in the Republic of Croatia |
| Public Procurement Office | Public procurement for the central Government |
| Central State Offices | |
|---|---|
| Name | Responsibilities |
| Central State Administrative Office for e-Croatia | Development of information technology Information technology Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications... society and eGovernment EGovernment in Europe e-Government refers to the use of information and communication technology to provide and improve government services, transactions and interactions with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government... services |
| Central State Administrative Office for the Development Strategy and EU Fund Coordination | Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia related expert and administrative services and monitoring |
| State Administration Bodies | |
|---|---|
| Name | Responsibilities |
| Central Bureau of Statistics | Statistical surveys and statistical data publication |
| State Office for Radiological and Nuclear Safety | Radiological and nuclear safety |
| State Office for Metrology | Metrological administrative services, testing and supervision |
| State Intellectual Property Office | Protection of intellectual property rights |
| State Inspector’s Office | Inspection of implementation of legislation and regulations |
| Meteorological and Hydrological Service Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service is the Croatian national agency for weather forecasts, based in Zagreb. As of 2010 the service has 440 full-time employees in 23 departments, in addition to around 3,000 part-time observers around the country.The agency produces operational... |
Meteorological and hydrological services |
| National Protection and Rescue Directorate | Search and rescue, emergency response service |
| State Geodetic Directorate | Geodetic survey, mapmaking, cadastral and photogrammetric services |
| Public Sector Bodies | |
|---|---|
| Name | Responsibilities |
| State Property Management Agency (AUDIO) | State property management |
| State Institute for Nature Protection | Expert services pertaining to nature protection |
| Central Depository & Clearing Company | Management of the central depository of securities, clearing system and transaction settlement |
| Central Finance and Contracting Agency | Budgeting, tendering, contracting, payments, accounting and financial reporting pertaining to procurement in context of the decentralised EU funded programmes |
| Central Registry of Insured Persons (REGOS) | Pension insurance technical support |
| Croatian Institute for Health Insurance | Healthcare insurance |
| Croatian Employment Service | Employment mediation, vocational guidance, unemployment benefits, training |
| Croatian Standards Institute | National standards body, promotion of safety and quality of products, services and processes |
| Croatian Pension Insurance Institute | Pension insurance fund |
| Hydrographic Institute of the Republic of Croatia | Safety of navigation in area of hydrographic services, development of maritime economy |
| Croatian Geodetic Institute | Planning and performance of the basic geodetic services, research and development, quality control, expert assistance in area of geodetic services, maintains a geographic name database |
| Croatian Mine Action Centre | Demining surveys and planning, cleared area acceptance, mined area Minefields in Croatia Minefields in Croatia can still be found along the former front lines of the Croatian War of Independence. During the 1991-1995 war, up to two million land mines were laid by both sides in the conflict... marking, quality assurance, demining research and development, victim assistance |
| Croatian Information Documentation Referral Agency (HIDRA) | Information, documentation and referral services |
| Croatian Accreditation Agency | National accreditation service |
| Croatian Academic and Research Network (CARNet) | Internet services, promotion of information society development, education |
| Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA) | Maintenance of financial system stability, supervision of legality of trade transactions |
| Croatian Agency for Small Business (HAMAG) | Developing the Economy of Croatia, support of the small and medium enterprises, guarantees for entrepreneurial credits, education and development of an advisory service |
| Fund for the Compensation of Expropriated Property | Compensation of property expropriated during the Communist rule |
| Financial Agency (FINA) | Financial mediation, financial administrative services |
| State Audit Office | Auditing the state and local government unit budgets and their users other entities with majority government ownership |
| State Agency for Deposit Insurance and Bank Rehabilitation | Bank deposit insurance |
| Human Rights Centre | Human rights related public events, education, volunteer programmes and implementation of human rights projects |
| Croatian Competition Agency | Antitrust and merger control, monitoring of competition pertaining to implementation and recovery of agricultural and fisheries related aid |
| Personal Data Protection Agency | Supervision of personal data protection, reporting personal data protection status recorded in the country and abroad, maintenance of the central register of the personal data |
| Croatian Environment Agency | Collection, integration and processing of environmental data, promotion of sustainable development |
| Agency for Transactions and Mediation in Immovable Properties | Purchase and trading of real-estate in the country, except where legislation defines authority of another body, subsidized real-estate development |
Operations of the Government
Government meetings are public, however the government itself may decide to close any part of its sessions or entire sessions to the public. The prime minister may authorise any deputy to represent the PM, and to take over any portion of tasks otherwise assigned to the prime minister. The government sessions are valid if attended by majority of the government members and decisions are reached by vote of simple majority. Exceptionally, a two-thirds majority vote is required to make decisions regarding changes of the constitution of the Republic of Croatia, association with other states, changes of borders of the country, dissolution of the parliament, calling a referendumReferendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
.
The prime minister and the PM deputies represent the core cabinet, which monitors and discusses operation of the government and may hold preliminary discussions on any matter performed by the government. The core cabinet may act as the government in emergencies when the government is unable to meet, however its decisions need be verified at the next government session to remain in force. Government secretary coordinates agencies, offices and other services subordinated to the government.
Current Government
Since 1 July 2009, the prime minister of the government has been Jadranka KosorJadranka Kosor
Jadranka Kosor is a Croatian politician and former journalist. She is the current Prime Minister of Croatia, having taken office on July 6, 2009, following the sudden resignation of her predecessor Ivo Sanader. She is Croatia's first female Prime Minister since independence.-Early life:Jadranka...
. As of 2011, Deputy Prime Ministers are Petar Čobanković
Petar Čobanković
Petar Čobanković is Croatian politician and Minister of Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management.Čobanković finished elementary and high school in Ilok, after that he attended Faculty of Agriculture at University of Zagreb wher he got B.Sc. degree of agriculture. From 2000 until 2001 he...
, Gordan Jandroković
Gordan Jandrokovic
Gordan Jandroković is a Croatian diplomat and politician. Currently, he is the foreign minister of Croatia.Jandroković was born in Bjelovar. He graduated from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Civil Engineering in 1991, and obtained a diploma from the Faculty of Political Sciences in...
, Darko Milinović
Darko Milinović
Darko Milinović is a Croatian politician currently serving as Minister of Health and Social Welfare in the Government of Croatia...
, Domagoj Ivan Milošević, Božidar Pankretić and Slobodan Uzelac
Slobodan Uzelac
Slobodan Uzelac, Ph.D., is the current Vice Prime Minister of Croatia for Regional Development, Reconstruction and Return. He is the member of Serbian minority in Croatia....
. Government ministers are from the Croatian Democratic Union
Croatian Democratic Union
The Croatian Democratic Union is the main center-right political party in Croatia. It is the biggest and strongest individual Croatian party since independence of Croatia. The Christian democratic HDZ governed Croatia from 1990 to 2000 and, in partial coalition, from 2003...
(HDZ) and the Croatian Peasant Party
Croatian Peasant Party
The Croatian Peasant Party is a center and socially conservative political party in Croatia.-Austria-Hungary:The Croatian People's Peasant Party was formed on December 22, 1904 by Antun Radić along with his brother Stjepan Radić. The party contested elections for the first time in the Kingdom of...
(HSS).
History of the Government
The first executive council in Croatia dates to 1848, when the BanBan of Croatia
Ban of Croatia was the title of local rulers and after 1102 viceroys of Croatia. From earliest periods of Croatian state, some provinces were ruled by Bans as a rulers representative and supreme military commander. In the 18th century, Croatian bans eventually become chief government officials in...
's Council acted as an administrative body governing Croatia within the Austrian Empire
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
as a provisional government while the council existed, until 1850. Following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 and the subsequent Croatian–Hungarian Settlement of 1868, Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia
Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia
The Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia or Croatia Slavonia was an autonomous kingdom within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was part of the Hungarian Kingdom within the dual Austro-Hungarian state, being within the Lands of the Crown of St. Stephen or Transleithania...
was established along with the Government of the Land , headed by crown-appointed Ban. The establishment was carried out during appointment of Ban Levin Rauch
Levin Rauch
Baron Levin Rauch de Nyék was a politician from the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia in the late 19th century, the viceroy of Croatia-Slavonia from 1867 to 1871....
. Authority of the government continued until breakup of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
and creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1918. In total, 15 Bans acted as head of the government in the period. Cvetković–Maček Agreement was made in 1939, and it established the Banovina of Croatia
Banovina of Croatia
The Banovina of Croatia or Banate of Croatia was a province of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia between 1939 and 1943 . Its capital was at Zagreb and it included most of present-day Croatia along with portions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia...
and appointed Ivan Šubašić
Ivan Šubašic
Ivan Šubašić was a Croatian and Yugoslav politician, best known as the last Ban of Banovina of Croatia.He was born in Vukova Gorica, then in Austria-Hungary. He finished grammar and high school in Zagreb, and enrolled onto the Faculty of Theology at the University of Zagreb...
as Ban to head the Croatian government. Still, an effective government was not formed before onset of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In June 1943, the National Anti-Fascist Council of the People's Liberation of Croatia established an 11-member executive board to act as new government of Croatia. Communist-ruled Croatia
Socialist Republic of Croatia
Socialist Republic of Croatia was a sovereign constituent country of the second Yugoslavia. It came to existence during World War II, becoming a socialist state after the war, and was also renamed four times in its existence . It was the second largest republic in Yugoslavia by territory and...
, a part of the Yugoslavia, maintained its own government, of similarly limited powers to all preceding forms of government since the 19th century. The government was appointed by and responsible to the Sabor. During the Communist era, there were 14 governments of Croatia. The official name of the government was Executive Council of the Sabor . Following the parliamentary elections
Croatian parliamentary election, 1990
Parliamentary elections were held in Croatia on 22 April 1990, with a second round of voting on 6 May. The first free elections since multi-party politics were introduced, they resulted in a victory for the Croatian Democratic Union, which won 55 of the 80 seats...
and adoption of the present Constitution of Croatia
Constitution of Croatia
The current Constitution of the Republic of Croatia was adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia on December 22, 1990. It replaced the Constitution of 1974 ratified in socialist Yugoslavia...
in 1990, the present form of government was adopted. On 30 May 1990, Stjepan Mesić
Stjepan Mesić
Stjepan "Stipe" Mesić is a Croatian politician and former President of Croatia. Before his ten-year presidential term between 2000 and 2010 he held the posts of Speaker of the Croatian Parliament , Prime Minister of Croatia , the last President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia , Secretary General...
became the first person to hold title of the Prime Minister of Croatia, and Franjo Gregurić
Franjo Greguric
Franjo Gregurić is a Croatian politician who served as prime minister of Croatia from July 1991 to September 1992.Gregurić was born in the Zagorje village of Lobor. He attended the Technical highschool in Zagreb, and then the Technical Faculty of the University of Zagreb...
was the first prime minister of independent Croatia
Croatian independence referendum, 1991
An independence referendum was held in Croatia on 19 May 1991. The result was 95.7% in favour, with a turnout of 83.6%.-Background:The Croatian parliament made the decision to hold the referendum on 2 May.-Results:-Aftermath:...
, as he held the office on 8 October 1991 when the declaration of independence came into effect.
List of governments of the Republic of Croatia
Since 30 May 1990, and the first multi-party parliamentary election held following the 45-year Communist rule, the Republic of Croatia had a total of 11 governments headed by eight different prime ministers. Prime minister in the first government government after the first multi-party election was Stjepan MesićStjepan Mesić
Stjepan "Stipe" Mesić is a Croatian politician and former President of Croatia. Before his ten-year presidential term between 2000 and 2010 he held the posts of Speaker of the Croatian Parliament , Prime Minister of Croatia , the last President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia , Secretary General...
, who would later go on to become the President of Croatia
President of Croatia
The President of Croatia , officially styled the President of the Republic represents the Republic of Croatia in the country and abroad as the head of state, maintains the regular and coordinated operation and stability of the national government system, and safeguards the independence and...
. That government was formed by the Croatian Democratic Union
Croatian Democratic Union
The Croatian Democratic Union is the main center-right political party in Croatia. It is the biggest and strongest individual Croatian party since independence of Croatia. The Christian democratic HDZ governed Croatia from 1990 to 2000 and, in partial coalition, from 2003...
(HDZ), as were seven other governments of Croatia. Two governments were formed by the Social Democratic Party of Croatia
Social Democratic Party of Croatia
Social Democratic Party of Croatia , commonly referred to in Croatia as simply Social Democratic Party , is the largest centre-left political party in Croatia...
(SDP) and one was a national unity government
National unity government
A national unity government, government of national unity, or national union government is a broad coalition government consisting of all parties in the legislature, usually formed during a time of war or other national emergency.- Canada :During World War I the Conservative government of Sir...
, representing a wide coalition of political parties, formed during the peak of the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
, between July 1991 and August 1992, with Franjo Gregurić
Franjo Greguric
Franjo Gregurić is a Croatian politician who served as prime minister of Croatia from July 1991 to September 1992.Gregurić was born in the Zagorje village of Lobor. He attended the Technical highschool in Zagreb, and then the Technical Faculty of the University of Zagreb...
as the prime minister.
| Assumed office | Prime Minister | (Leading) Party in Office | Cabinet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 May 1990 | Stjepan Mesić Stjepan Mesić Stjepan "Stipe" Mesić is a Croatian politician and former President of Croatia. Before his ten-year presidential term between 2000 and 2010 he held the posts of Speaker of the Croatian Parliament , Prime Minister of Croatia , the last President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia , Secretary General... |
Croatian Democratic Union Croatian Democratic Union The Croatian Democratic Union is the main center-right political party in Croatia. It is the biggest and strongest individual Croatian party since independence of Croatia. The Christian democratic HDZ governed Croatia from 1990 to 2000 and, in partial coalition, from 2003... |
Cabinet of Stjepan Mesić Cabinet of Stjepan Mesić The First Government of the Republic of Croatia was the Croatian Government from May 30 to August 24, 1990. The premier was Stjepan Mesić of the Croatian Democratic Union.-List of ministers and portfolios:-External links:... |
| 24 August 1990 | Josip Manolić Josip Manolic Josip Manolić is a Croatian politician who was one of the most important public figures in 1990s Croatia. He was prime minister of the Republic of Croatia from August 24, 1990 to July 17, 1991.-Background and political career:... |
Croatian Democratic Union | Cabinet of Josip Manolić |
| 17 July 1991 | Franjo Gregurić Franjo Greguric Franjo Gregurić is a Croatian politician who served as prime minister of Croatia from July 1991 to September 1992.Gregurić was born in the Zagorje village of Lobor. He attended the Technical highschool in Zagreb, and then the Technical Faculty of the University of Zagreb... |
national unity government National unity government A national unity government, government of national unity, or national union government is a broad coalition government consisting of all parties in the legislature, usually formed during a time of war or other national emergency.- Canada :During World War I the Conservative government of Sir... |
Cabinet of Franjo Gregurić |
| 12 August 1992 | Hrvoje Šarinić Hrvoje Šarinic Hrvoje Šarinić is a Croatian politician.Šarinić was born in Sušak, Rijeka and graduated from the University of Zagreb then-Faculty of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy.... |
Croatian Democratic Union | Cabinet of Hrvoje Šarinić |
| 3 April 1993 | Nikica Valentić Nikica Valentic Nikica Valentić is a Croatian politician.Native of Gospić, Valentić graduated from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Law.Before being involved in politics, Valentić was a high-ranking official of INA, the Croatian oil company.... |
Croatian Democratic Union | Cabinet of Nikica Valentić |
| 7 November 1995 | Zlatko Mateša Zlatko Mateša Zlatko Mateša was the Prime Minister of Croatia from late 1995 until 31 January 2000. He is a member of the Croatian Democratic Union.... |
Croatian Democratic Union | Cabinet of Zlatko Mateša Cabinet of Zlatko Mateša The Cabinet of Prime Minister Zlatko Mateša was the Croatian Government cabinet announced on 7 November 1995. It was the 6th cabinet of Croatia, and its term ended on 27 January 2000.-List of ministers and portfolios:... |
| 27 January 2000 | Ivica Račan Ivica Racan Ivica Račan was a Croatian career politician, leader of the League of Communists of Croatia and later Social Democratic Party from 1989 to 2007... |
Social Democratic Party of Croatia Social Democratic Party of Croatia Social Democratic Party of Croatia , commonly referred to in Croatia as simply Social Democratic Party , is the largest centre-left political party in Croatia... |
Cabinet of Ivica Račan I Cabinet of Ivica Račan I The first Cabinet of Prime Minister Ivica Račan was the Croatian Government cabinet announced on 27 January 2000. It was the 7th cabinet of Croatia, and its term ended on 30 July 2002, when it was reconstructed and replaced by Cabinet of Ivica Račan II... |
| 30 July 2002 | Ivica Račan | Social Democratic Party of Croatia | Cabinet of Ivica Račan II Cabinet of Ivica Račan II The second Cabinet of Prime Minister Ivica Račan was the Croatian Government cabinet announced on 30 July 2002. It was the 8th cabinet of Croatia, and its term ended on 23 December 2003. Račan's second cabinet was formed after Croatian Social Liberal Party and Istrian Democratic Assembly had... |
| 23 December 2003 | Ivo Sanader Ivo Sanader Ivo Sanader |Split]]) is a Croatian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Croatia from 2003 to 2009.Sanader obtained his education in comparative literature in Austria, where he also later worked in the 1980s. He worked as a journalist, in marketing, publishing and also as a private... |
Croatian Democratic Union | Cabinet of Ivo Sanader I |
| 12 January 2008 | Ivo Sanader | Croatian Democratic Union | Cabinet of Ivo Sanader II Cabinet of Ivo Sanader II The second Cabinet of Prime Minister Ivo Sanader was announced on 12 January 2008. It was the 10th cabinet of Croatia, and its term ended on 6 July 2009 when Jadranka Kosor formed the 11th cabinet... |
| 6 July 2009 | Jadranka Kosor Jadranka Kosor Jadranka Kosor is a Croatian politician and former journalist. She is the current Prime Minister of Croatia, having taken office on July 6, 2009, following the sudden resignation of her predecessor Ivo Sanader. She is Croatia's first female Prime Minister since independence.-Early life:Jadranka... |
Croatian Democratic Union | Cabinet of Jadranka Kosor Cabinet of Jadranka Kosor The first Cabinet of Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor was announced on 6 July, 2009. It is the 11th cabinet of Croatia, and came into existence after Prime Minister Ivo Sanader had abruptly resigned on 1 July 2009 and named Kosor as his successor... |
| Sources: Government of Croatia; HIDRA. | |||
See also
- Elections in CroatiaElections in CroatiaConstitution of Croatia and legislation enacted by the Parliament of Croatia provide for regular elections in Croatia for the office of the President of Croatia, the parliament, county prefects and assemblies, city and municipal mayors as well as city and municipal councils...
- Parliament of CroatiaParliament of CroatiaThe Parliament of Croatia or the Sabor is the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Croatia and legislature of the country. Under the terms of the Croatian Constitution, represents the people and is vested with the legislative power...
- Politics of CroatiaPolitics of CroatiaThe politics of Croatia are defined by a parliamentary representative democratic republic framework, where the Prime Minister of Croatia is the head of government, in a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government and the President of Croatia. Legislative power is vested in...