President of Croatia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Croatia |
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Coat of arms of the president
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| Office of the President of the Republic | |
| Style | Mr President (informal) His Excellency (diplomatic) |
| Member of | Armed Forces of Croatia |
| Reports to | Croatian Parliament |
| Residence | 36 Krajiška Street, Zagreb |
| Seat | Predsjednički dvori, Zagreb |
| Appointer | Popular vote |
| Term length | Five years, renewable once |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of the Republic of Croatia |
| Inaugural holder | Franjo Tuđman |
| Formation | 22 December 1990 |
| Deputy | Speaker of the Croatian Parliament |
| Salary | €39,000 annually |
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The President of Croatia is the country's head of state. This means they are the main representative of Croatia, both inside the country and when dealing with other nations. The official name for this role is the President of the Republic of Croatia.
Even though the president holds the highest office, they are not in charge of the daily government. Croatia has a parliamentary system. This means the Prime Minister and their government make most of the important decisions. The president's job is to make sure the government runs smoothly and that the country stays independent and safe.
The president has several important duties. They can call for elections for the Croatian Parliament. They can also call for a referendum, which is when the public votes on a specific issue. The president formally chooses the prime minister, based on which political parties have the most power in parliament. They can also grant pardons (forgive someone for a crime) and give out state awards. The president also works with the government on foreign policy. Plus, the president is the boss of the Croatian Armed Forces.
The president's main office is called the Office of the President of the Republic. It is located in the Presidential Palace in Zagreb. The president also has a special flag, called the presidential standard, which is flown at their office and on their vehicles.
Contents
Who Has Been President?
This timeline shows who has been president of Croatia since 1990.
What the President Does
The President of Croatia represents the country at home and abroad. Their main job is to make sure the government works well and that Croatia's independence and land are protected. While in office, the president cannot have any other public or professional job.
The president calls elections for the Croatian Parliament. They also choose the prime minister. The prime minister then needs to get approval from the parliament. The president can also call for public votes (referendums), grant pardons, and give out state awards.
Working with Other Countries
The president and the government work together on Croatia's foreign policy. This means they decide how Croatia will interact with other countries. The president helps set up Croatian embassies and offices in other countries. They also appoint and welcome diplomats who represent Croatia or other countries.
Keeping the Country Safe
The president is the top commander of the Croatian Armed Forces. They choose and remove military leaders, like the chief of general staff. The president also gives ranks and promotions to officers.
The president also works with the government on national security. They help choose the leaders of security agencies. The president can attend government meetings and lead councils that deal with defense and national security.
In Times of Danger
If Croatia is in danger, the president can declare war or make peace, but only with the parliament's approval. If there's an immediate threat, the president can order the military to act, even without a formal declaration of war. This order must also be approved by the prime minister. During a war, the president can make special rules that have the power of law.
Ending Parliament's Term
The president can dissolve the Parliament in certain situations. This can happen if the government loses a vote of confidence, or if the Parliament doesn't approve the government's budget. The prime minister must also agree to this decision. The president can also dissolve Parliament if a new government cannot be formed after an election.
The President's Office
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The Office of the President of the Republic is where the president's team works. This includes their personal staff and other support staff. The office is located in the Presidential Palace in Zagreb. In 2009, the office had a budget of about 7.3 million euros. The president's monthly salary is around 3,170 euros.
The Office of the President was created in 1991. It is led by a chief of staff, chosen by the president. The office has advisors and different departments to help the president with their duties.
Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace in Zagreb is the president's official workplace. It is sometimes called Pantovčak. The president does not live in this building; it is used only for work. The palace is very large, covering about 3,700 square meters. It also has an annex building and a bomb shelter. The building was finished in 1964 and was once used by the former Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito.
Becoming President
| Presidential inaugurations | ||
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| President | Date | Note |
| Franjo Tuđman | 12 August 1992 | first term |
| 12 August 1997 | second term | |
| Stjepan Mesić | 19 February 2000 | first term |
| 19 February 2005 | second term | |
| Ivo Josipović | 19 February 2010 | one term |
| Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović | 19 February 2015 | one term |
| Zoran Milanović | 19 February 2020 | incumbent |
The president is chosen by the people of Croatia through a secret ballot. They serve for a five-year term. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the votes in the first round, a second vote is held between the top two candidates. A person can only be president for a maximum of two terms.
To become a candidate, a person must be a Croatian citizen, at least 18 years old, and get support from 10,000 voters. Before starting their job, the president-elect must promise loyalty to the Constitution. This promise is made in a special ceremony, usually at St. Mark's Square in Zagreb.
Presidential Elections History
The first presidential elections in modern Croatia were held in 1992. Franjo Tuđman won this election and another one in 1997. During his time, the president had a lot of power.
After Tuđman passed away in 1999, the rules were changed. Many presidential powers were given to the parliament and the prime minister. This made Croatia more of a parliamentary system.
Stjepan Mesić was elected president twice, in 2000 and 2005. He served the maximum two terms allowed. Ivo Josipović won the election in 2009–2010. Then, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović won in 2014–2015, becoming the first woman president of Croatia. Most recently, Zoran Milanović won the election in 2019–2020 and took office in February 2020.
Protection and Removal from Office
The President of Croatia has special protection called immunity. This means they cannot be arrested or have criminal charges brought against them without permission from the Constitutional Court. However, this immunity does not apply if the president is caught doing a serious crime.
The president can be removed from office if they break the Constitution while doing their job. The Croatian Parliament can start this process with a two-thirds vote. Then, the Constitutional Court decides if the president is guilty. If the court agrees, the president's term ends.
When the President Can't Work
If the president is temporarily unable to do their job (for example, due to illness or travel), they can give their powers to the Speaker of the Parliament. The Speaker then acts as president.
If the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the Speaker of the Parliament immediately becomes the acting president. In this situation, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days. This happened in 1999 when President Franjo Tuđman passed away. Vlatko Pavletić became the acting president until a new president was elected.
Presidential Symbols
The President of Croatia has special symbols. One is the presidential standard, which is a flag. It is blue with a border of red and white squares. In the middle, it has the Croatian coat of arms. This flag is flown at the president's office and on their vehicles.
Another symbol is the presidential sash. This is a special band worn diagonally across the president's body. It has the Croatian colors and the coat of arms. The president wears this sash on important national holidays and at special ceremonies. The sash was not used for a while but was brought back by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović in 2015.
After Being President
When a president finishes their term, they still get some support from the state. They are given an office and two staff members. They also get a driver, an official car, and bodyguards. These benefits are provided if the former president asks for them.
For example, former President Stjepan Mesić has an office in Zagreb. This office helps him meet with foreign diplomats and give lectures. Before 2004, former presidents used to become members of a special part of the Parliament for life. However, this rule was changed.
See also
