HDZ breaks quorum at session of the Judiciary Committee

The Croatian Parliament’s Judiciary Committee postponed today’s vote on candidates for president of the Supreme Court after members of the ruling HDZ broke the quorum, as expected.

The HDZ wants to link the Supreme Court vote to the election of three Constitutional Court judges, while opposition parties insist the processes remain separate. Negotiation teams from both sides met ahead of today’s scheduled session in an attempt to resolve the deadlock.

Deputy chairman of the Committee on the Constitution, Standing Orders and Political System, Saša Đujić (SDP), said ahead of the session:

"When it comes to our respective positions, I think the SDP and HDZ are quite far away from each other in all aspects. As far as a rapprochement is concerned, there's nothing to comment on."

Sandra Benčić (Možemo!) added that no concrete decisions had been made during negotiations:

"Možemo and the SDP have our demands, and the HDZ have theirs. Everything—more or less—has already been stated publicly. There’s nothing new to disclose, and there has been no change in our position."

Deputy chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Nikola Mažar (HDZ), confirmed that while negotiations continue, the ruling majority will not attend any Committee session to discuss the Supreme Court vote.

Committee chairman Nikola Grmoja (Most) expressed concern over the impact on the judiciary:

"Unfortunately, it is the Croatian judiciary that will suffer. But at least everyone's true character and intentions have been laid bare. It is now completely clear that all the important positions at the state level are decided regardless of the character and qualifications of the candidate."