Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia facts for kids

The Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia (officially called the Vice President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia) is a very important helper to the Prime Minister of Croatia. Think of them as a senior assistant who helps run the country.

Quick facts for kids Vice President of the Government of Croatia
Coat of Arms of Croatia
Incumbent Ivan Anušić, Branko Bačić, Davor Božinović, Oleg Butković, Tomo Medved and Marko Primorac since 17 January 2023, 19 July 2019, 15 July 2022, 8 May 2020 and 29 April 2022
Appointer	Prime Minister of Croatia
Term length	At the pleasure of the Prime Minister and the parliamentary majority
Inaugural holder	Bernardo Jurlina, Mate Babić and Milan Ramljak
Formation	31 May 1990

The Croatian Constitution says that the government cabinet includes the Prime Minister, one or more Deputy Prime Ministers, and other ministers. When different political parties form a government together (called a coalition), the smaller parties often get a Deputy Prime Minister role. Their importance usually depends on how many members they have in the Parliament.

Deputy Prime Ministers can also be in charge of a specific government department, like being a Minister of Finance or Education. Sometimes, they serve without leading a department.

It's important to know that a Deputy Prime Minister does not automatically become Prime Minister if the Prime Minister leaves office. However, if the Prime Minister is temporarily unable to lead meetings, a Deputy Prime Minister can step in and chair them.

History of the Office

The role of Deputy Prime Minister in Croatia began on May 31, 1990. At first, three people held this position at the same time: Bernardo Jurlina, Mate Babić, and Milan Ramljak. Since then, many people have served in this role. Often, several people hold the position at the same time. For example, at one point, the government led by Jadranka Kosor had six Deputy Prime Ministers!

The current government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, has several Deputy Prime Ministers. As of July 2025, these include Davor Božinović, Tomo Medved, Oleg Butković, Branko Bačić, Ivan Anušić, and Marko Primorac. Most of them are members of the Croatian Democratic Union party.

List of Deputy Prime Ministers

Here's a look at the political parties that Deputy Prime Ministers have belonged to over the years, and a list of those who have served in the most recent government.

Parties

      Croatian Democratic Union (43)
      Social Democratic Party (7)
      Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats (4)
      Croatian Social Liberal Party (3)
      Croatian Peasant Party (2)
      The Bridge (2)
      Independent Democratic Serb Party (2)
      Independent (2)
      Homeland Movement (1)

Note

     Denotes Deputy Prime Ministers who served as Prime Minister before or after holding the deputy prime ministership

Cabinet of Andrej Plenković (2016–present)

	Picture	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of Office		Political Party
		Ivan Kovačić (1974–)	19 October 2016	28 April 2017	Bridge of Independent Lists
		Davor Ivo Stier (1959–)	19 October 2016	19 June 2017	Croatian Democratic Union
		Damir Krstičević (1969–)	19 October 2016	8 May 2020	Croatian Democratic Union
		Martina Dalić (1967–)	19 October 2016	14 May 2018	Croatian Democratic Union
		Predrag Štromar (1969–)	9 June 2017	23 July 2020	Croatian People's Party-Liberal Democrats
		Marija Pejčinović Burić (1963–)	19 June 2017	19 July 2019	Croatian Democratic Union
		Tomislav Tolušić (1979–)	25 May 2018	17 July 2019	Croatian Democratic Union
		Zdravko Marić (1977–)	19 July 2019	5 July 2022	Independent
		Davor Božinović (1961–)	19 July 2019	Incumbent	Croatian Democratic Union
		Tomo Medved (1968–)	23 July 2020	Incumbent	Croatian Democratic Union
		Boris Milošević (1974–)	23 July 2020	29 April 2022	Independent Democratic Serb Party
		Anja Šimpraga (1987–)	29 April 2022	17 May 2024	Independent Democratic Serb Party
		Oleg Butković (1979–)	15 July 2022	Incumbent	Croatian Democratic Union
		Branko Bačić (1959–)	17 January 2023	Incumbent	Croatian Democratic Union
		Josip Dabro (1983–)	17 May 2024	18 January 2025	Homeland Movement
		Ivan Anušić (1973–)	17 May 2024	Incumbent	Croatian Democratic Union
		Marko Primorac (1984–)	17 May 2024	Incumbent	Independent

See also

• List of cabinets of Croatia