Croatia's Deputy Prime Minister, Josip Dabro, has resigned after a video depicting him firing a gun from a car emerged. The incident has raised concerns within the coalition government and tarnished his party's reputation.
Croatian Deputy PM Resigns Following Gun Incident Video
Croatian Deputy PM Resigns Following Gun Incident Video
Josip Dabro steps down from his position amid controversy surrounding footage showing him shooting from a moving vehicle.
In a surprising turn of events, Josip Dabro, Croatia's Deputy Prime Minister, announced his resignation after a video surfaced that depicted him firing a pistol from a moving vehicle. The footage shows Dabro, who was a passenger, engaged in a lighthearted conversation, laughing, and belting out tunes while shooting through an open window into the night sky.
Dabro, a member of the hard-right nationalist group, Homeland Movement, insisted that the video was filmed several years ago and that the bullets fired were for training purposes. Nonetheless, his actions have attracted significant criticism, with the coalition government formed in May 2024 labeling the behavior as "inappropriate and irresponsible."
In his resignation statement, shared via Facebook, Dabro expressed his desire not to become a distraction to the governing body. He highlighted the "significant pressure and threats" he had faced in relation to anticipated reforms in the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The video was publicly revealed earlier this week, leading to unrest within the coalition. Dabro's party is part of a partnership with the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. This partnership has previously seen tensions, notably with the dismissal of Health Minister Vili Bros last November amid a corruption probe.
The political atmosphere was further complicated by the recent re-election of President Zoran Milanovic, who secured nearly three-quarters of the vote against Dragan Primorac, a candidate supported by the HDZ. In a diplomatic snub, Plenkovic stated that "Milanovic offers nothing" and refrained from congratulating the president.
As the public follows these unfolding events, the implications of Dabro's resignation will likely reverberate through the Croatian political landscape.
