"You are a disgrace, you deceive the public and the defenders"

In a heated exchange during a session of the Croatian Parliament, known as the Sabor, MP Miro Bulj (from the Most party) raised concerns about the potential involvement of Croatian military personnel in a ceremony in Paris. The discussion centered around whether Croatian soldiers would be allowed to salute Fabien Mandon, the head of French armed forces, who had previously stated that children in France and Europe must be prepared to fight against Russia. This statement sparked controversy and led to a debate over the role of Croatian troops in international engagements.

Bulj questioned Prime Minister's Deputy and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić on whether he would permit Croatian soldiers and officers to salute Mandon. He emphasized that this issue was being discussed ahead of a parliamentary debate on the 2025 defense report and decisions regarding the withdrawal of Croatian soldiers from missions in Iraq and Lebanon. The debate took place amid tensions within the government regarding the participation of members of the Armed Forces in a parade in Paris.

The President of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, clarified that the event in question was purely ceremonial and not related to military engagement. He stressed that Croatian soldiers would not be fighting for foreign interests and that the topic of participating in a war did not exist in this context. Jandroković urged MPs not to spread panic or confuse the public, noting that all European Union member states, including those not yet part of the union, would participate in the parade. He also mentioned that even Serbia would take part, emphasizing that Croatia would choose not to attend, claiming they were more prudent than others.

Members of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) accused Most of spreading falsehoods and misleading the public. Stipan Šašlin, an HDZ representative, criticized Bulj, stating that as a Croatian soldier, he should feel ashamed for deceiving the public and fellow soldiers. Šašlin pointed out that soldiers have always told the truth to their nation, unlike Bulj, who was presenting outright lies.

Zvonimir Troskot from Most argued that Croatian soldiers had nothing to do at the event before Mandon. In response, Jandroković noted that many European countries, particularly those in the Baltic and Scandinavian regions, discuss the possibility of conflict with Russia, which is a potential scenario but does not mean that contact with them should be severed. He appealed to Bulj and other representatives to avoid spreading panic and confusing the people.

Ivica Kukavica from the Social Democrats (DP) highlighted that the current security situation is significantly different from previous years, thus welcoming increased investments in defense in Croatia, especially the reintroduction of basic military training. He emphasized that investing in defense is an investment in national security, protection of sovereignty, and maintaining peace.

Independent MP Nino Raspudić raised questions about how the government would ensure fiscal sustainability while increasing defense spending to five percent of GDP and what benefits the Croatian military industry would derive from such investments. He identified the dramatic collapse of the personnel structure of the Armed Forces as one of the most significant issues, warning that according to data from the report, they had lost 1,200 members over four years.

The debate underscored the complex dynamics between political parties regarding national defense policy and international engagement. It also highlighted broader concerns about the readiness and capacity of the Croatian military, as well as the need for responsible communication from political leaders to prevent unnecessary alarm among the public. As discussions continue, the focus remains on ensuring that Croatia's defense strategies align with both national interests and international commitments without compromising its strategic autonomy or the welfare of its military personnel.