HDZ Receives HRK 560,000 in Donations

ZAGREB, July 13, 2020 – In the first half of this year, the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party received HRK 560,000 in donations for its regular political activities, a report published on Monday shows.

The HDZ received more than about 30 other political parties combined. The bulk of donations, slightly over HRK 500,000, were made in money and HRK 57,000 in products or services. Not one donation exceeded HRK 30,000.

About 30 political parties have so far submitted their reports on donations and they are available on the Electoral Commission’s website.

The report by the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS), published on Monday, shows that the party received a modest HRK 13,750 from donors.

Reports published earlier show that the Croatian Conservative Party (HKS) of MEP Ruza Tomasic overtook the Croatian People’s Party (HNS), to which donors had been very inclined in the past years. The HKS received HRK 164,000 in donations and the HNS 143,000.

Many political parties, including those in parliament, reported no donations, including the Independent Democratic Serb Party, the Croatian Pensioners Party, the Istrian Democratic Party and Let’s Change Croatia. Independent MPs Vladimir Bilek, who represents the Czech and Slovak minorities, and Veljko Kajtazi (Roma minority) also reported receiving no donations.

The Social Democratic Party, Bridge, and the Homeland Movement are yet to submit their reports. The deadline is July 15.

Any party that fails to do so by the given deadline faces a fine of between HRK 10,000 and 100,000, while MPs and councillors face a fine of between HRK 2,000 and 20,000.

(€1 = HRK 7.53)