HSS joins ruling majority, coalition rises to 79 seats

The Croatian Peasants Party (HSS) has decided to join the ruling majority, adding one seat and bringing the coalition’s total to 79 in the 151-seat parliament.

The party leadership announced the move on Thursday evening, following the departure of former leader and MP Krešo Beljak. His exit cleared the way for HSS leader Darko Vuletić to take the seat when the Sabor reconvenes next week.

Vuletić said the party aims to bring stability to the current political situation.

“There are artificial ideological divisions in our society. We’ve made our position clear—we want to work with those who are inclusive. Exclusion is a no-go for us,” he said.

The decision followed talks with the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), where party officials found significant alignment on policy and values. Vuletić said the HSS would return to its core principles: family, tradition, religion, the homeland, and advocacy for farmers and ordinary citizens.

The move also leaves two MPs from the left-of-center Glas and DOSIP parties, previously part of a joint parliamentary group with HSS, without a club, as HSS plans to join a bloc aligned with the ruling majority.