Has chauvinism in the council become normal?

Damir Bakić, a member of the political party Možemo, has accused the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the right-wing bloc of engaging in “unforgivable nationalist and anti-Serb statements” within the Croatian Parliament. In a public statement, Bakić criticized Prime Minister Andrej Plenković for allegedly remaining silent on these remarks, which he claims have crossed into new territory of intolerance. The incident occurred during recent parliamentary debates over public health policy, according to Bakić’s account. The controversy centers around the use of names such as Milutin and Radojka in parliamentary discussions, which Bakić argues have been used to insult individuals of Serbian origin. He described this as a form of “nationalist hatred,” claiming that such language constitutes a direct attack on national minorities and promotes discrimination. Bakić emphasized that using names associated with Serbian heritage, such as Milutin and Radojka, is particularly offensive, calling it the worst form of hate speech or the best possible message to one's supporters. In his statement, Bakić condemned the practice of labeling individuals based on their nationality or surname, arguing that it perpetuates a harmful ideology rooted in superiority. He stated that anyone who believes one group is inherently better than another due to birthplace or name deserves scorn, ridicule, and contempt. Bakić further claimed that such rhetoric is not just politically incorrect, it is a call for the degradation of all citizens of Serbian ethnicity and other national minorities. He also pointed to specific incidents, including the physical assault on writer Vladimir Arsenijević during preparations for commemorations of Srebrenica victims and the display of posters honoring Ratko Mladić in Novi Sad. These acts, Bakić argued, exemplify a broader pattern of hostility toward Serbs and national minorities, which he insists must be addressed publicly. Bakić directly addressed Prime Minister Plenković, recalling his previous response to graffiti targeting writers Miljenko Jergović and Jurica Pavičić, as well as comments made by parliamentarians Dalija Orešković. He accused Plenković of failing to take a firm stance against such behavior, despite being the head of government and the ruling party. Bakić urged Plenković to speak out against the normalization of hate speech in politics, stating that silence in the face of such conduct is unacceptable. Bakić warned that allowing nationalist rhetoric to gain institutional weight through parliamentary platforms risks legitimizing its spread beyond the halls of power. He argued that a society where someone’s nationality becomes an insult is not a tolerant one, and that such tolerance must be rejected outright. He concluded by asserting that Možemo will not remain silent on these issues and will continue to challenge them openly.