GOVERNMENT
The Croatian Parliament, also known as the Sabor, became a unicameral body after its upper house (Chamber of Counties) was eliminated by constitutional amendment in March 2001. The remaining body, the Chamber of Representatives, consists of 153 members who serve 4-year terms elected by direct vote. The Sabor includes 140 members from 14 geographic districts within Croatia (each district holds 10 seats, as well as eight seats guaranteed to representatives of national minorities (3 for the Serb minority, one each for several other smaller groups), and a variable number based on turnout for Croatians abroad without fixed residence in Croatia, the large majority of whom reside in Bosnia-Herzegovina. As of the November 2007 parliamentary elections, the diaspora representatives hold 5 Sabor seats. The Sabor meets twice a year--from January 15 to July 15 and from September 15 to December 15.
The powers of the legislature include enactment and amendment of the constitution, passage of laws, adoption of the state budget, declarations of war and peace, alteration of the boundaries of the republic, and carrying out elections and appointments to office.
Stjepan Mesic was re-elected President in February 2005. The president is the head of state and is elected by direct popular vote for a term of 5 years. The president is limited to serving no more than two terms. In addition to being the commander in chief, the president appoints the prime minister and cabinet members with the consent of Parliament. Following the death of President Tudjman, the powers of the presidency were curtailed and greater responsibility was vested in Parliament.
HDZ President Ivo Sanader assumed the office of Prime Minister in December 2003. The prime minister, who is nominated by the president, assumes office following a parliamentary vote of confidence in the new government. The prime minister and government are responsible for proposing legislation and a budget, executing the laws, and guiding the foreign and internal policies of the republic. The HDZ-led government that assumed office in January 2008 represents a coalition agreement between the HDZ (66 seats), the HSS (6 seats), the HSLS (2 seats), the SDSS (3 seats), other minority representatives and the lone representative of the HSU. The current government has, in addition to Prime Minister Sanader, 17 ministers, including four deputy prime ministers. Thirteen of the ministers come from the ranks of the HDZ. Coalition partners hold four cabinet seats: agriculture, tourism, and two deputy prime minister seats, including one responsible for regional development and returns held by a representative of the Croatian Serb SDSS party. This is the highest ranking government position held by a Croatian Serb since Croatia's independence in 1991.
Croatia has a three-tiered judicial system, consisting of the Supreme Court, county courts, and municipal courts. Croatia's Supreme Court is the highest court in the republic. The Supreme Court assures the uniform application of laws. Members of the high court are appointed by the National Judicial Council, a body of 11 members, and justices on the Supreme Court are appointed for life. The court's hearings are generally open to the public.
The
Constitutional Court is a body of 13 judges appointed by Parliament
for an 8-year term. The Constitutional Court works to assure the
conformity of all laws to the constitution.
Principal
Government Officials
President--Stjepan Mesic
Prime Minister--Ivo Sanader (HDZ)
Deputy Prime Minister/ Minister for Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship--Damir Polancec (HDZ)
Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of the Family, Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity--Jadranka Kosor (HDZ)
Deputy Prime Minister for Internal Affairs - Djurdja Adlesic (HSLS)
Deputy Prime Minister for Regional Development, Reconstruction and Returns - Slobodan Uzelac (SDSS)
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration--Gordan Jandrokovic
Minister of Defense--Branko Vukelic
Croatia
maintains an embassy
in the United States at 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington
DC, 20008-2853, tel. (202) 588-5899, fax: (202) 588-8936. Consulates
General of the Republic of Croatia are located in New York City,
Chicago, and Los Angeles. Honorary consulates are located in St.
Paul, New Orleans, Seattle, and Pittsburgh.
Type: Parliamentary democracy.
Constitution: Adopted December 22, 1990.
Independence (from Yugoslavia): June 25, 1991.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet of ministers. Legislative--unicameral Parliament or Sabor. Judicial--three-tiered system.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
Political parties (represented in Parliament): Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP), Croatian People’s Party-Liberal Democrats (HNS), Croatian Peasant Party (HSS), Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), Croatian Party of Pensioners (HSU), Croatian Democratic Alliance of Slavonia and Baranja (HDSSB).
