Croatia celebrates Statehood Day
Croatia is celebrating Statehood Day on Friday in memory of 30 May 1990 when the country’s first democratic, multi-party Parliament was established in Zagreb, ushering in the process of creating an independent and democratic state.
On 30 May 1990, after decades of communist rule and a one-party system, freely elected deputies gathered for the first time in St Mark’s Square, having been chosen in multi-party elections held over two rounds in April and May. The elections resulted in the victory for the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), and the constitution of the Sabor opened a new chapter in the nation’s history, CE Report quotes HINA.
"It was truly a major event, when power was being taken over by people who had often been politically marginalised under the former regime, and some had even been imprisoned," wrote historian Ivo Perić, describing the atmosphere of that day as historic and liberating.
At the first session, the Sabor leadership was elected. Žarko Domljan became Speaker, with Ivica Percan, Stjepan Sulimanac and Vladimir Šeks appointed as Deputy Speakers. Stjepan Mesić was elected President of the Executive Council of Parliament, while Franjo Tuđman assumed the role of President of the Presidency of the Socialist Republic of Croatia.
In his address to Parliament, Tuđman emphasised the historical role of the Croatian Sabor in safeguarding national sovereignty, expressing his belief in the political maturity of the Croatian people:
"I never doubted that the people would demonstrate their maturity at the polls. I am certain they will know how to build a life worthy of free people in their one and only, long-suffering, yet sacred homeland,” Tuđman said at the inaugural session of Croatia’s first democratic, multi-party Parliament, held in the Parliament building on St Mark’s Square in Zagreb.
The first multi-party Croatian Parliament had 351 members, divided into three chambers – the Chamber of Municipalities, the Chamber of Associated Labour, and the Social and Political Chamber. Despite the challenges and the outbreak of war that followed, this parliamentary assembly adopted a number of key decisions: the severance of state and legal ties with the Socialist Yugoslav federation, the declaration of Croatian sovereignty and independence, and the adoption of the so-called Christmas Constitution at the end of 1990.
In his speech, then Speaker of Parliament Žarko Domljan appealed to members for unity and responsibility:
"The great trust placed in us by the electorate obliges us to honour the past while looking to the future, to unite all people of goodwill in achieving the goal of a free, democratic and sovereign Croatia."
Statehood Day was celebrated on 30 May from 1991 to 2001, marking the symbolic beginning of the process of establishing a democratic and independent state.
In 2001, under the government of SDP leader Ivica Račan, an amendment to the law moved the date to 25 June, to commemorate the 1991 parliamentary decision to declare independence and sever all ties with the former Yugoslavia.
At the same time, 30 May became the Day of the Croatian Parliament, but it was no longer a public holiday or non-working day.
Since 2020, following a proposal by the government of HDZ leader Andrej Plenković, Statehood Day was reinstated to 30 May. This was enacted through amendments to the Law on Public Holidays, Memorial Days and Non-Working Days, passed in late 2019 and effective from 1 January 2020.
The government aimed to restore the symbolism of the beginning of democracy in Croatia, specifically the advent of multi-party parliamentary democracy.
Full-day celebration of Statehood Day
Statehood Day is being marked across all Croatian cities today.
In Zagreb, the day begins with a wreath-laying ceremony at Mirogoj Cemetery, followed by a Mass at St Mark’s Church led by the Archbishop of Zagreb, Monsignor Dražen Kutleša.
At the Jarun Recreational and Sports Centre, a special programme will take place, including a traditional exhibition of weapons, as well as combat and non-combat equipment and technology used by the Croatian Armed Forces and other components of the homeland security system.
In the evening, a concert will be held at the Croatian National Theatre, with invitations extended to members of the first Parliament from 1990. Of the original 351 members, 188 are still alive. Andro Krstulović Opara is the only current MP who also served in the Parliament constituted in 1990.
In recent years, President Zoran Milanović has not participated in Statehood Day commemorations on 30 May, stating that the HDZ arbitrarily chose the date as Statehood Day.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated in the days leading up to the celebration that Milanović will not attend again this year.
