In Croatia, political tensions have intensified following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Josip Dabro, an incident precipitated by disturbing footage of him firing a gun from a moving car. The video, which depicts Dabro laughing and singing while discharging a pistol through an open window, has raised safety concerns among the public and government officials alike.
Dabro, who has been a vocal member of the hard-right Homeland Movement party, disclosed that the video was recorded several years ago and that he was using training bullets. Nonetheless, his actions were condemned as "inappropriate and irresponsible" by representatives of the coalition government. The coalition, which unites Dabro's party with the centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, is now under scrutiny as it strives to maintain stability.
In his resignation statement shared on Facebook, Dabro expressed his intent to avoid becoming a distraction to the government amid ongoing discussions to reform the agriculture sector, where he previously held the ministerial position. He also mentioned facing "significant pressure and threats" related to these reform plans.
This resignation marks another chapter of unrest within the Croatian government, especially following the sacking of Health Minister Vili Bros last November amid a corruption investigation. As political tensions mount, President Zoran Milanovic has been re-elected, winning nearly three-quarters of the votes, a move that Plenkovic has criticized as offering "nothing" new to the table.
The fallout from Dahbro’s resignation continues to unfold as the coalition grapples with the implications of his actions, navigating the complex landscape of Croatian politics.
