In Sarajevo, Croatia’s Constitutional Court made a ruling on Monday that President Zoran Milanovic cannot run for prime minister in the upcoming elections next month while still holding his presidential office. The court stated that he would need to resign from his current position before seeking the prime minister post.
Milanovic, known as a populist leader, previously served as prime minister from 2011 to 2016 and his term as president is set to expire in February 2025.
Setting the date for parliamentary elections on April 17, Milanovic announced his intention to run for prime minister after dissolving parliament in the European Union nation. However, he also stated that he would only resign as president “after winning the polls.”
The Constitutional Court’s president, Miroslav Šeparovic, explained that as a non-partisan figure, the president cannot engage in political activities for any party, which includes being a candidate for parliament or prime minister.
If Milanovic chooses to run for parliament or publicly declares his candidacy for prime minister, he must promptly submit his resignation to the court. In such a scenario, the speaker of parliament would assume the role of interim president until a new presidential election is held within 60 days.
Over the weekend, Milanovic launched his election campaign alongside the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which endorsed him as their prime ministerial candidate.
Šeparovic stated, “We have determined that he violated the constitution through his actions and statements made from Friday until today, indicating his intention to participate in the election and making political remarks.”
The court will oversee the election process and impose penalties on any individuals who breach the constitution. Šeparovic called on Milanovic and the SDP to cease all actions that go against the constitution.
(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Nick Macfie)
