Josip Dabro, member of the Homeland Movement and deputy PM of Croatia, has resigned amid backlash from a video showing him shooting a gun from a car, raising questions about his party’s stability and the government’s response to controversial behavior.
Croatian Deputy PM Steps Down Following Controversial Gun Video Incident
Croatian Deputy PM Steps Down Following Controversial Gun Video Incident
Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Josip Dabro resigns after footage emerges of him shooting from a moving vehicle, calling attention to his party's governance.
In a surprising turn of events, Josip Dabro, Croatia's Deputy Prime Minister and minister for agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, has resigned from his position after a controversial video surfaced. The footage displayed Dabro in the passenger seat of a moving vehicle, where he was seen shooting out of the window while joking and singing along to music. The incident has drawn significant scrutiny, especially in light of Croatia's political climate and coalition dynamics.
Dabro, representing the hard-right nationalist Homeland Movement, clarified that the video was recorded several years ago and that he was using training bullets. In his resignation statement shared on social media, he emphasized that he did not want to become a distraction for the government, which has faced instability since its coalition was formed in May 2024. The Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic criticized Dabro's actions as “inappropriate and irresponsible,” further complicating the situation.
The resignation comes on the heels of other political upheavals within the Croatian government, including the recent sacking of Health Minister Vili Bros due to a corruption investigation. The timing of Dabro’s departure raises concerns about the stability of the coalition that has been tested by various controversies since its inception.
Amid these developments, Zoran Milanovic’s re-election as President for a second term with a significant majority complicates matters further for Plenkovic, who has openly criticized Milanovic's administration. Croatia's political landscape remains fragile as coalition partners navigate this latest incident and its implications for governance and public perception.
The video and subsequent resignation may influence the future of the Homeland Movement and its role in Croatian politics, as the government grapples with public image and internal cohesion amid a turbulent environment.
Dabro, representing the hard-right nationalist Homeland Movement, clarified that the video was recorded several years ago and that he was using training bullets. In his resignation statement shared on social media, he emphasized that he did not want to become a distraction for the government, which has faced instability since its coalition was formed in May 2024. The Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic criticized Dabro's actions as “inappropriate and irresponsible,” further complicating the situation.
The resignation comes on the heels of other political upheavals within the Croatian government, including the recent sacking of Health Minister Vili Bros due to a corruption investigation. The timing of Dabro’s departure raises concerns about the stability of the coalition that has been tested by various controversies since its inception.
Amid these developments, Zoran Milanovic’s re-election as President for a second term with a significant majority complicates matters further for Plenkovic, who has openly criticized Milanovic's administration. Croatia's political landscape remains fragile as coalition partners navigate this latest incident and its implications for governance and public perception.
The video and subsequent resignation may influence the future of the Homeland Movement and its role in Croatian politics, as the government grapples with public image and internal cohesion amid a turbulent environment.
