Orešković: To replace today's corrupt and clerical-Ustachian regime, it is not crucial who is the leader of the opposition

Dalija Orešković, a member of Croatia’s parliament, has issued a sharp critique of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and his ruling party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). In a post on social media, she accused the government of undermining the rule of law and institutional integrity, calling its leadership “corrupt” and aligned with a “clerical-Ustase regime.” She argued that the current political system has eroded the foundations of the state, leaving citizens with little choice but to challenge it through elections. The controversy centers around Orešković's remarks regarding the role of the Home Guard (HOS) and its influence in public life. She criticized efforts by groups associated with HOS to reclaim murals depicting their historical presence in Rijeka, which had been removed by local authorities. According to her, these actions represent a broader attempt by HOS members to appropriate the legacy of wartime resistance for personal gain, while ignoring the contributions of other genuine defenders of the country during the Homeland War. She emphasized that HOS members have historically claimed recognition for themselves, despite the existence of thousands of other individuals who fought alongside them. Orešković pointed out that the number of active HOS members has remained relatively unchanged since the end of the war, while the broader population of veterans, those who defended the homeland, has grown significantly. She described how HOS members today manipulate public memory and national identity, using force and legal loopholes to assert control over symbols of the past. This, she claims, is supported by the current administration, which allows such behavior under the guise of maintaining order or tradition. She further alleged that the dominance of HOS and its symbols within public spaces serves as a cover for corruption and mismanagement. By promoting HOS imagery, officials create a false sense of legitimacy, masking deeper issues of systemic abuse and misappropriation of resources. She highlighted that this includes the misuse of public funds, the distortion of electoral processes, and the erosion of democratic institutions. According to Orešković, the current government has effectively turned the constitution into a tool for political convenience, allowing HOS-aligned figures to shape policy decisions based on personal interests rather than national interest. Her comments also touched on the symbolic nature of certain practices, such as the use of the Ustase salute “Za dom spremni,” which she called unconstitutional yet often tolerated by judicial and administrative bodies depending on political expediency. She warned that this kind of selective enforcement undermines the rule of law and creates a system where power is determined not by popular will but by the preferences of a small group of elites. Orešković concluded that the current political leadership poses a greater threat to the nation than any potential rival, suggesting that the existing system is so entrenched that it would resist change even if new alternatives emerged. Her message underscores a deepening divide between those who seek to preserve democratic principles and those who continue to exploit nationalist sentiments for political advantage. As the debate continues, the implications of her statements could influence public discourse and potentially spark renewed calls for reform.