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Diplomatic sources suggest that the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), led by President Aleksandar Vučić, has previously employed electoral engineering to influence the selection of candidates representing the Croatian minority in Serbia. Officials in Zagreb have expressed hope that a weakened political position for the SNS may reduce such interference in future electoral processes. The upcoming test for these relations is scheduled for November 8, when Serbia holds elections for national minority councils, including the Croatian National Council (HNV). For the first time, members of the Croatian community will directly elect 23 representatives to the HNV. In anticipation of the vote, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman met with Jasna Vojnić, president of the HNV. While Minister Grlić Radman did not explicitly name President Vučić or the SNS in his public statements, he emphasized that the upcoming elections must be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The meeting addressed the broader status of the Croatian minority in Serbia, focusing on the practical implementation of guaranteed rights. Key areas of concern include education and media access in the Croatian language, the official use of the language, and political representation. These issues are covered by a bilateral agreement on minority protection, which Croatia continues to insist must be consistently enforced. Minister Grlić Radman stated that Zagreb would continue to monitor the realization of these rights and demand that Serbia fulfill its international obligations. He specifically highlighted the need for Serbian institutions to take decisive action in cases involving hate speech and threats to the safety of the Croatian community. The Croatian government reaffirmed its commitment to providing continuous support to the Croatian minority in Serbia, emphasizing that such efforts are essential for preserving national identity, ensuring equality, and securing the long-term development of the community. Article source: Večernji List | Image credit: Večernji List
Diplomatic sources suggest that the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), led by President Aleksandar Vučić, has previously employed electoral engineering to influence the selection of candidates representing the Croatian minority in Serbia. Officials in Zagreb have expressed hope that a weakened political position for the SNS may reduce such interference in future electoral processes. The upcoming test for these relations is scheduled for November 8, when Serbia holds elections for national minority councils, including the Croatian National Council (HNV). For the first time, members of the Croatian community will directly elect 23 representatives to the HNV. In anticipation of the vote, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman met with Jasna Vojnić, president of the HNV. While Minister Grlić Radman did not explicitly name President Vučić or the SNS in his public statements, he emphasized that the upcoming elections must be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The meeting addressed the broader status of the Croatian minority in Serbia, focusing on the practical implementation of guaranteed rights. Key areas of concern include education and media access in the Croatian language, the official use of the language, and political representation. These issues are covered by a bilateral agreement on minority protection, which Croatia continues to insist must be consistently enforced. Minister Grlić Radman stated that Zagreb would continue to monitor the realization of these rights and demand that Serbia fulfill its international obligations. He specifically highlighted the need for Serbian institutions to take decisive action in cases involving hate speech and threats to the safety of the Croatian community. The Croatian government reaffirmed its commitment to providing continuous support to the Croatian minority in Serbia, emphasizing that such efforts are essential for preserving national identity, ensuring equality, and securing the long-term development of the community.
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