The nation’s president talked of the current political situation, upcoming elections, hooligans and her relationship to Zdravko Mamić
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović was the guest at this week’s political magazine of N1 television, taped on July 1, 2016.
Did you expect to have parliamentary elections twice in such a short time?
“I did not, but this is not unusual. What is troublesome is the lack of continuity from government to government. We still don’t have a professional base in state administration to be able to function normally. And we don’t have a state development strategy for such administration to obey.”
Is Croatia after everything a stable nation?
“Croatia is a stable nation, but stagnating. Decisions aren’t being made. All is dependent on the political elite and that’s not good.”
Have you decided on an election date?
“It will be in the legal deadline. I have not decided yet, but am prone to the 11th of September, as school starts on the 5th and I want to leave the Sunday before for families.”
You got to know Tihomir Orešković. Did the government fall because he couldn’t get his bearings as a politician or couldn’t make it in this combination? Do you believe he will continue his political career?
“The process behind us is a disappointment for me, just like the government. At the start they had a lot of credit with the domestic and foreign public, but did not justify it. I wouldn’t call it an experiment as these are normal processes that occur in other nations in older democracies.”
Why did you distance yourself from Tomislav Karamarko? It has been said you would be his puppet.
“I did not distance myself form anyone. I will cooperate with any government and criticise it per their activities. I feel the puppet story was a result of prejudices towards me personally and women in general. Our relationship was always professional and correct. I always repeat – I am the president of all citizens and will work exclusively for the good of the state.”
Croatia on Thursday erected and then removed a fence on the Batina border crossing with Serbia. Are we preparing to close the borders in case the migration of last fall is repeated?
“If such a situation comes again I am afraid we won’t have much of a choice. I hope and believe it won’t, primarily because of our cooperation with neighbours. Minister Orepić has told me the alert status has not been raised.”
Many resented you name-calling of troublemakers at the Euro in France as “Orjunaši”. Where did this term come from?
“I was slightly surprised by the reaction of the public. It wasn’t an official response, but a social media one where we are more personal. I must say I was wrong when I called them that. I should have said they are terrorists as that is the proper term. They’re holding the entire state hostage. These are individuals or small groups of extremists politically motivated to deface Croatia in international circles. There are certainly politics behind it. I resent the authorities not sanctioning these people. If they are willingly endangering the lives of people around them then it is terror. Everything should be called what it is. I also call on the Croatian Football Federation to solve the problem.”
You are aware of the theory that you are on friendly terms with the “boss” of Croatian football Zdravko Mamić.
“He is an acquaintance and I have met him in social events and have not been hiding it. He sponsored my presidential campaign with a small amount, but it is irrelevant as he is one of many, and I was the biggest individual donor of my campaign. I treat everyone equally. As president I must adhere to the position that everyone is innocent until proven guilty Joining the public hysteria and judging Mamić publicly would win me political points. I don’t remember the last time I saw him, but must say that on my birthday I was with my family in Brussels and that can easily be checked.”
