ZAGREB, February 18, 2018 – Conflict of Interest Commission chair Dalija Orešković announced on Sunday she was withdrawing her candidacy for another term in office at the helm of the Commission.
“It’s quite clear that right now my candidacy does not have the support of parliament so I’m withdrawing my candidacy,” Orešković told Hina by telephone. She said that her decision was prompted by the outcome of Friday’s vote when her rival, Nataša Novaković, received a lot more votes than her.
Neither Orešković nor Novaković won the required number of at least 76 votes in a secret ballot. Orešković received 46 votes and Novaković 75.
Speaking after the vote, the chairman of the parliamentary group of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party, Branko Bačić, said: “There will be a third round if necessary and if neither candidate receives a majority of votes, a new call for the selection of Commission chair will be launched.”
Commenting on this statement, Orešković said it was unacceptable to her because a new call would only prolong the blockade of the Commission’s work.
All four members of the new Commission were appointed. Both members and the chair are appointed to a term of five years and cannot be appointed more than twice.
