AGP Executive Report

Zagreb Protest: Organisers have called a November 21 rally against corruption, abuse of power and the cost of living, saying it is nonpartisan. Demographic Policy: Croatia is preparing a Demographic Renewal Act to coordinate family support, housing, regional development and the return of emigrants. In Osijek-Baranja County, 119 young families received housing support this year. Airport Scandal: Dubrovnik’s airport returned €22 million in EU funds after procurement irregularities in its modernisation project. Mayor Mato Franković called it Croatia’s biggest corruption scandal involving EU money; the airport says the repayments have strained its finances. EU Borders: The European Commission has proposed giving Frontex broader powers to manage borders and organise deportations, including returns between non-EU countries.

Demographic Policy: Croatia is preparing a Demographic Renewal Act to support young families, young people and returning emigrants, with Slavonia among the priorities. Regional Politics: Serbia’s student-led opposition has won a historic election, ending Aleksandar Vučić’s 12-year rule. The movement is calling for public broadcaster reforms, while its leaders have said they want better ties with Croatia and the EU. Public Investment: A €237.5 million children’s hospital in Zagreb is moving forward, and the European Commission has cleared €60 million in Croatian state aid for energy-intensive industries. Foreign Affairs: Croatia’s European affairs state secretary met Moldova’s deputy prime minister to discuss peaceful reintegration, with Croatia’s experience cited as a possible model.

Serbia’s Political Shift: The student-led Student List won a parliamentary majority, ending Aleksandar Vučić’s 14-year grip on power; he conceded defeat after a campaign marred by reports of intimidation and violence. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković congratulated the winners and welcomed their stated intent to improve ties with neighbours. Media Freedom: Press groups say the result offers a chance to strengthen independent journalism, but lasting change will depend on accountability for attacks and reforms that protect journalists and editorial independence. Children’s Hospital: Croatia signed a €237.5 million grant agreement for the first phase of a new Zagreb children’s hospital, planned to provide about 300 beds and take 38 months to build. Energy Industry: The European Commission approved €60 million in Croatian state aid to help energy-intensive firms offset carbon-related electricity costs, with conditions tied to energy savings and emissions cuts.

Serbia’s Political Shift: Serbia’s student-led Student List won a parliamentary majority, taking 52.54% of the vote and ending the ruling party’s 14-year grip on power. Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković congratulated the winners, welcoming their pledge to improve ties with neighbours and offering talks on unresolved issues. Regional Tensions: Serbian authorities arrested six people over an alleged election-day unrest plot; two reportedly hold Croatian passports. Belgrade hinted at Croatian involvement, but the allegations remain unproven. Zagreb had advised citizens to postpone travel to Serbia ahead of the vote. Government Watch: Plenković’s government survived a no-confidence motion over illegal waste dumping.

Serbia’s Political Shift: Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat after a record-turnout election, with preliminary results giving the student-backed Student List 52.54% against 39.29% for the ruling coalition. The win follows nearly two years of anti-corruption protests, though reports of violence and irregularities raise questions about the vote. Regional Stakes: European leaders welcomed the result and urged Serbia to advance rule-of-law, media-freedom and anti-corruption reforms. Serbia has also hinted at Croatian involvement in an alleged election-day unrest plot; six people were arrested, including two reported to hold Croatian passports. Croatian Defence: Retired Admiral Robert Hranj, former chief of Croatia’s armed forces, joined an international advisory board focused on intelligent and autonomous defence systems. Government Accountability: Croatia’s government survived a no-confidence vote over illegal waste dumping. Bosnia and Herzegovina: A European Parliament delegation is examining foreign interference in the country’s institutions, elections and media environment as its EU accession process faces continued political divisions.

Regional Politics: Serbia’s student-led opposition appears to have ended Aleksandar Vučić’s 14-year hold on power: he conceded defeat after record turnout, though reports of irregularities and violence clouded the vote. Serbian authorities also barred Croatian journalists from reporting on election day, citing security concerns. Croatian Government: The government survived a no-confidence vote over illegal waste dumping. Border Services: From 1 November, travellers entering Croatia can declare goods and pay customs duties online up to five days before arrival, but must still present their goods for inspection at the border.

Serbia’s Election: Voters are deciding whether a student-led movement can end Aleksandar Vučić’s long rule. Croatia had advised citizens to postpone travel to Serbia, while Serbian authorities have alleged Croatian involvement in election-day unrest; those claims remain disputed. Border Services: From 1 November, travellers entering Croatia can declare goods and pay applicable customs duties online before arrival, though officers will still inspect goods at the border. Defence Cooperation: Croatian drone maker ORQA and Ukrainian partner General Cherry are developing counter-drone systems and building an underground component factory in Ukraine, drawing lessons from wartime production. Government Accountability: Croatia’s government survived a no-confidence vote over illegal waste dumping. Media Freedom: A watchdog condemned threats against Croatian journalists, renewing concerns over their safety.

Serbia’s Election: Voters head to the polls Sunday after nearly two years of student-led protests, in a snap election that could challenge Aleksandar Vučić’s ruling party. Croatia has advised its citizens to postpone travel to Serbia; Serbian authorities have also hinted at Croatian meddling as they investigate alleged plans for election-day unrest. Defense and Security: A Croatian Army drone pilot won the individual title at an international military competition in Ankara. Croatian firm ORQA is also partnering with a Ukrainian manufacturer to build drone components in an underground factory, drawing lessons in keeping production resilient under attack. Government: Croatia’s government survived a no-confidence vote over illegal waste dumping. New rules due in November will bring seasonal lighting and winter-equipment requirements for drivers, alongside consumer-credit and price-transparency changes. EU Enlargement: Montenegro’s path to EU membership remains sensitive for Zagreb, which has raised unresolved wartime issues and can block progress.

Ukraine Policy: Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said Croatia should continue supporting Ukraine, warning that defeat or an unjust peace could bring renewed conflict to the EU’s borders. Regional Airport Plans: A parliamentary session reviewed Croatia’s airports, but Šibenik’s proposed airport was absent from the official report; its feasibility study remains unconfirmed and concerns have been raised about protected bird habitats. Government Accountability: Croatia’s government survived a no-confidence vote linked to illegal waste dumping. EU Enlargement: Montenegro’s accession bid remains entangled with unresolved disputes with Croatia, whose consent is seen as essential to progress. Serbia Tensions: Croatia advised citizens to postpone travel to Serbia ahead of its elections, as Serbian authorities arrested people suspected of plotting election-day unrest, including two men with Croatian passports. Serbia has also hinted at Croatian meddling.

Affordability: Pula will cap prices on selected Advent food and drinks, including €5 sausages and €3 mulled wine. Croatian households’ financial assets rose 11.1% year-on-year to €141 billion, but liabilities climbed almost as fast, to €33 billion. Regional Tensions: Serbia votes Sunday in a closely watched election after months of student protests. Croatia has advised citizens to postpone travel there; Serbian authorities have arrested six people suspected of planning election-day unrest, including two with Croatian passports, and hinted at Croatian involvement. Government Scrutiny: Croatia’s government survived a no-confidence vote over illegal waste dumping. Foreign Policy: Croatia’s accession approval remains a hurdle for Montenegro’s EU bid, while Zagreb has opened a new chapter with Cambodia after its foreign minister’s visit and the signing of two agreements. Shipbuilding: Croatia completed the sale of 97.13% of Uljanik shipyard to Turkey’s Kuzey Star for €12.05 million, with the buyer pledging to maintain shipbuilding and repair operations.

Zagreb Transport: The city has begun work on a 14-month mobility plan aimed at easing congestion and making daily travel safer. Serbia Election Tensions: Serbian prosecutors seek custody for five of six people accused of planning election-day violence; one suspect is a Croatian citizen, and the allegations have not been proven. Croatia has advised its citizens to postpone travel to Serbia before Sunday’s vote. Government Accountability: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s government survived a no-confidence vote over illegal waste dumping. EU Enlargement: Croatia is tying Montenegro’s EU progress to resolving bilateral disputes, while the European Commission says an accession treaty by summer 2027 is realistic. Housing Rules: The government has given about 15,000 unlicensed apartments four more years to meet legal requirements. Media Freedom: A watchdog has urged Croatia to respond to threats against journalists, amid renewed calls for authorities to protect the press.

Serbia Election Tensions: Prosecutors sought custody for five of six people accused of plotting election-day violence. Reports identify a Croatian national and say two suspects hold Croatian passports; allegations of Croatian involvement remain unproven. Zagreb has advised citizens to postpone travel to Serbia ahead of the vote. Croatia’s Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman’s visit to Cambodia produced agreements on diplomatic visa exemptions and foreign-service training, with mine-clearance cooperation also discussed. Separate talks with China’s Wang Yi focused on closer ties and cooperation. EU Enlargement: Croatia’s unresolved disputes with Montenegro continue to hold up its EU accession progress, even as European officials describe membership negotiations as nearing completion. Domestic Politics: The government survived a no-confidence vote over illegal waste dumping and extended the deadline for 15,000 unlicensed apartments. Media Freedom: Watchdogs are urging an official response to threats against Croatian journalists, including death threats following coverage of football fans’ Nazi slogans.

Montenegro’s EU Bid: As Montenegro hosts the Berlin Process summit, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos says progress depends on Croatia’s consent. Open disputes include missing persons, war crimes and maritime boundaries; Kos says an accession treaty by summer 2027 remains realistic. Government Decisions: Croatia’s government has extended temporary operating permits for about 15,000 unlicensed rental apartments until 2030. It also survived a no-confidence vote over illegal waste dumping. Serbia Election Tensions: Ahead of Sunday’s vote, Serbia arrested six people accused of planning unrest; reports say two hold Croatian passports. Zagreb has advised citizens to postpone travel to Serbia. Foreign Relations: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman in Zagreb, with both sides signaling interest in closer ties. Security and Media: Croatian and French Rafale pilots are conducting joint training near Zagreb, while watchdogs are demanding action over threats against Croatian journalists.

Tourism Rules: The government’s revised hospitality law gives about 15,000 unlicensed apartment operators until the end of 2030 to legalise their properties. Waste Scandal: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković survived a no-confidence vote over 37,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste in Gospić; 79 MPs opposed the motion and 55 supported it. Montenegro’s EU Bid: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Montenegro could sign an accession treaty by summer 2027, but progress requires Croatia’s consent and resolution of disputes between the neighbours. Military Service: Croatia has proposed new rules for recruit training and medical assessments, including higher allowances for military personnel who train recruits. Cambodia Ties: During Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman’s first official visit, Croatia and Cambodia signed agreements on diplomatic-passport visa exemptions and diplomatic training.

Media Freedom: Croatia’s police have opened a criminal investigation after journalists received threats, including images of hanged reporters, following coverage of antisemitic chants by Hajduk Split supporters. SafeJournalists called for urgent protection and prosecutions. Border Security: Interior Minister Davor Božinović says Croatia has thwarted 25,000 illegal entry attempts and arrested 950 suspected smugglers this year, with irregular crossings down about 40%. Serbia’s Election: Ahead of Sunday’s vote, a student protest movement rooted in demands for justice after a deadly station collapse has become the strongest challenge yet to President Aleksandar Vučić; press freedom groups warn of threats and pressure on independent media. EU Enlargement: Croatia continues to press Montenegro to resolve bilateral disputes before its EU accession process advances. Zagreb has also opened €2.9 million in grants for business infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina, prioritizing areas with Croatian communities.

Media Freedom: A watchdog urged Croatian authorities to protect journalists facing threats after reporting on pro-Nazi chants at a Hajduk Split march; police have charged 23 people over suspected incitement to hatred. Foreign Policy: During the first official visit by a Croatian foreign minister to Cambodia, the two countries signed agreements on diplomatic visa exemptions and foreign-service training, and discussed trade, tourism and demining. EU Enlargement: Croatia’s unresolved disputes with Montenegro remain a hurdle to Podgorica’s accession progress, with Zagreb pressing for conditions to be addressed. China Ties: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with both sides signaling interest in deeper cooperation. Labor: Croatia and the Philippines agreed on recruitment procedures and worker protections as Croatian hotels opened 785 jobs to Filipino applicants.