In a significant ruling by Croatia's top court, President Zoran Milanovic has been barred from assuming the role of Prime Minister following the recent parliamentary election. The Constitutional Court's decision was based on violations of constitutional provisions that restrict an incumbent head of state from participating in political activities during an election campaign. This ruling effectively prevents Milanovic from becoming the country's next premier.
The parliamentary election held on April 17 resulted in neither Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's ruling conservatives nor an opposition bloc associated with Milanovic securing an outright majority. Despite this, both sides have expressed their commitment to forming a government coalition with other parties that were elected to the legislature.
President Milanovic, who previously served as prime minister from 2011 to 2016 before assuming the presidency four years ago, openly declared his intention to become the next prime minister at the start of the election campaign. This decision raised concerns about a conflict of interest and prompted the Constitutional Court to intervene, deeming his participation in the election campaign incompatible with his duties as head of state.
Following the court's ruling, Milanovic criticized the decision, labeling it as part of a larger scheme to orchestrate a "coup d'etat." Despite his objections, the Constitutional Court affirmed that the law must be upheld and that no individual, regardless of their position, is exempt from complying with the constitution.
While the court has made it clear that Milanovic cannot become prime minister, it has also stated that it will not seek to remove him from his role as president. However, should Milanovic manage to form a parliamentary majority and secure a vote in parliament, the court stands ready to nullify these decisions, ensuring that the constitutional provisions are upheld and respected. The ruling underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of democratic processes in Croatia.