Croatia's Deputy Prime Minister Josip Dabro has stepped down after the release of a video showing him shooting a gun from a moving car. In the footage, Dabro is seen in the passenger seat, enjoying the company of others while singing and laughing with loud music in the background. He then retrieves a pistol and fires shots into the night through an open window.
Dabro, a member of the hard-right nationalist party Homeland Movement, stated that the video was recorded several years ago and clarified that he was using training bullets at the time. Nevertheless, his actions have sparked controversy, with government officials labeling his behavior as "inappropriate and irresponsible."
In his resignation statement on Facebook, Dabro, who also held the ministerial roles for agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, expressed that he did not wish to become a distraction for the government. He also revealed that he had faced "significant pressure and threats" regarding plans for departmental reforms.
The release of the video this week has intensified scrutiny on Croatia's coalition government, which was formed in May 2024 in partnership with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party. This resignation follows a series of political challenges, including the sacking of Health Minister Vili Bros last November amid a corruption investigation.
In the wake of political tension, President Zoran Milanovic was re-elected for a second term, securing almost three-quarters of the votes against his opponent, Dragan Primorac, who received support from the HDZ. Prime Minister Plenkovic expressed his discontent with the election outcome, stating that "Milanovic offers nothing" and declining to extend congratulations. It’s important to note that the presidential role in Croatia is largely ceremonial.
