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Speaker of the Croatian Parliament
Zastava predsjednika Hrvatskog sabora.svg
EPP Zagreb Congress in Croatia, 20-21 November 2019 (49098785338) (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Gordan Jandroković

since 5 May 2017
Croatian Parliament
Style Mr Speaker
(when addressed in the Sabor)
Seat Sabor Palace, Zagreb
Nominator Political parties
Appointer Croatian Parliament
traditionally appointing nominee of the largest party
Term length Contemporaneous to legislative period
Constituting instrument Constitution of Croatia
Formation 30 May 1990
First holder Žarko Domljan
Deputy Deputy Speakers of the Croatian Parliament
Salary 2979,50 monthly

The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament (in Croatian, Predsjednik Hrvatskog sabora) is a very important leader in the Croatian Parliament. The Parliament is Croatia's main law-making body. The Speaker is like the head of the Parliament, making sure everything runs smoothly during meetings.

The Speaker also has another big role. According to Croatia's Constitution, the Speaker is the only person who can temporarily take over as President of Croatia if the President cannot do their job. This might happen if the President resigns, passes away, or is removed from office. If this happens, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days. The Speaker acts as President until the new President is chosen.

Sometimes, the President might ask the Speaker to take over for short periods. This could be if the President is traveling, sick, or on vacation. The Speaker will then handle the President's duties until the President returns. If the President is sick for a long time and cannot make this decision, the Constitutional Court decides when the Speaker should step in.

The current Speaker of the Croatian Parliament is Gordan Jandroković. He is a member of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party. He became Speaker on May 5, 2017.

What Does the Speaker Do?

The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament has many important jobs. They make sure the Parliament works well and follows the rules. Here are some of their main duties:

  • Steps in for the President: If the President of Croatia cannot do their job, the Speaker takes their place temporarily.
  • Represents Parliament: The Speaker is the official face of the Parliament. They speak for it in Croatia and around the world.
  • Leads Meetings: The Speaker calls and leads all the Parliament's meetings. They make sure everyone gets a chance to speak and that discussions stay on track.
  • Sets the Agenda: They help decide what topics and laws the Parliament will discuss during its sessions.
  • Manages Laws: The Speaker oversees the process of creating and passing new laws and rules.
  • Coordinates Work: They help different groups within the Parliament work together.
  • Signs Laws: Once laws are passed by Parliament, the Speaker signs them. Then, they send these laws to the President to be officially announced.
  • Works with the Government: The Speaker helps manage the relationship between the Parliament and the Government.
  • Approves Travel: They approve travel for members of Parliament when they visit other countries or organizations.
  • Manages Delegations: The Speaker organizes groups of Parliament members who visit other countries or international organizations. They try to make sure these groups represent all the different political parties.
  • Represents Parliament at Events: They choose members of Parliament to attend special events and ceremonies.
  • Protects Members' Rights: The Speaker ensures that all members of Parliament can do their jobs and that their rights are protected.
  • Oversees Oaths: They lead the swearing-in ceremonies for new officials.
  • Other Duties: The Speaker also performs other tasks as required by the Constitution and Parliament rules.

Who Has Been Speaker?

Many important people have served as the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament. This list shows some of the Speakers since 1943. You can see when they served and which political party they belonged to.

     Independent (1)      League of Communists of Croatia (9)      Croatian Democratic Union (8)      Croatian Peasant Party (1)      Social Democratic Party (2)      Bridge of Independent Lists (1)

No. Speaker Lifespan Term of office Party Notes Assembly
1 Vladimir Nazor Vladimir Nazor 1876–1949 13 June
1943
19 June
1949
Independent He was the President of ZAVNOH (a wartime assembly) and later the President of the Presidium of the Parliament, which was like the head of state.
2 Karlo Mrazović Karlo Mrazović 1902–1987 June
1949
1952 League of Communists of Croatia Also served as President of the Presidium of the Parliament.
3 Vicko Krstulović Vicko Krstulović 1905–1988 1952 1953 League of Communists of Croatia Also served as President of the Presidium of the Parliament.
4 Zlatan Sremec Zlatan Sremec 1898–1971 26 February
1953
December
1953
League of Communists of Croatia After 1953, the Speaker became the formal head of state of Croatia.
5 Vladimir Bakarić Vladimir Bakarić 1912–1983 December
1953
December
1963
League of Communists of Croatia He was the formal head of state and served the longest as Speaker. He was also a Prime Minister.
6 Ivan Krajačić Ivan Krajačić 1906–1986 December
1963
June
1967
League of Communists of Croatia Formal head of state of Croatia.
7 Jakov Blažević Jakov Blažević 1912–1996 June
1967
April
1974
League of Communists of Croatia Formal head of state of Croatia.
8 Ivo Perišin Ivo Perišin 1925–2009 April
1974

1978
League of Communists of Croatia After 1974, the head of state role moved to a different body. He was also a former Prime Minister and Mayor of Split.
9 Jure Bilić Jure Bilić 1922–2006
1978

1982
League of Communists of Croatia
10 Jovo Grčić Jovo Ugrčić 1923–2005
1982

1983
League of Communists of Croatia
11 Milan Rukavina-Šain Milan Rukavina-Šain 1926–
1983

1984
League of Communists of Croatia
12 Ivo Latin Ivo Latin 1929–2002
1984

1985
League of Communists of Croatia
13 Josip Zmajić Josip Zmajić 1917–1998
1985

1986
League of Communists of Croatia
14 Anđelko Runjić Anđelko Runjić 1938–2015
1986
30 May
1990
League of Communists of Croatia
After the 1990 elections and new constitutional rules
15 (1) Žarko Domljan Žarko Domljan 1932–2020 30 May
1990
7 September
1992
Croatian Democratic Union Speaker of the First Parliament (1990–1992)
1990
16 (2) Stjepan Mesić Stjepan Mesić 1934– 7 September
1992
24 May
1994
Croatian Democratic Union Speaker of the Second Parliament (1992–1995)
1992
17 (3) Nedjeljko Mihanović Nedjeljko Mihanović 1930–2022 24 May
1994
28 November
1995
Croatian Democratic Union
 —
18 (4) Vlatko Pavletić 1930–2007 28 November
1995
2 February
2000
Croatian Democratic Union He was the Acting President for Franjo Tuđman when he was unable to serve. He continued as Acting President until February 2000. Speaker of the Third Parliament (1995–1999)
1995
19 (5) Zlatko Tomčić Zlatko Tomčić 1945– 2 February
2000
22 December
2003
Croatian Peasant Party He was the Acting President until Stjepan Mesić became the elected President in February 2000. Speaker of the Fourth Parliament (2000–2003)
2000
20 (6) Vladimir Šeks Vladimir Šeks 1943– 22 December
2003
11 January
2008
Croatian Democratic Union Speaker of the Fifth Parliament (2003–2008)
2003
21 (7) Luka Bebić Luka Bebić 1937– 11 January
2008
22 December
2011
Croatian Democratic Union Speaker of the Sixth Parliament (2008–2011)
2007
22 (8) Boris Šprem Boris Šprem 1956–2012 22 December
2011
30 September
2012
Social Democratic Party He passed away while in office. Speaker of the Seventh Parliament (2011–2015)
2011

Josip Leko Josip Leko 1948– 30 September
2012
10 October
2012
Social Democratic Party He was the Acting Speaker after Boris Šprem passed away, until he was officially elected Speaker.
23 (9) Josip Leko 10 October
2012
28 December
2015
Social Democratic Party
 —
24 (10) Željko Reiner Željko Reiner 1953– 28 December
2015
14 October
2016
Croatian Democratic Union Speaker of the Eighth Parliament (2015–2016)
2015
25 (11) Božo Petrov Božo Petrov 1979– 14 October
2016
5 May
2017
Bridge of Independent Lists He resigned from his position in May 2017. Speaker of the Ninth Parliament (2016–2020)
2016
26 (12) Gordan Jandroković Gordan Jandroković 1967– 5 May
2017
Incumbent Croatian Democratic Union
Speaker of the Tenth Parliament (2020–)
2016, 2020

See Also

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