Mandela and de Klerk Were Closer Than the Leaders of Croatian Parties

Just as the first attempts to form a new government were underway, Croatian Radio Television aired an extraordinary documentary about Nelson Mandela and his political opponent, as well as the representative of the oppressors, Frederik Willem de Klerk.

Perhaps someone other than me has noticed the irony of the moment, as the documentary speaks of political wisdom in a more extreme environment and particularly extreme context in relation to our moment.

What are these insurmountable obstacles?

Namely, after decades and decades of hostilities, a brutal regime, especially the huge gap between one nation but different races, they found true political wisdom and formed not only a government but also a new state based on different values. And now I come to the point of this column and the response of the leaders of our two largest parties to the offer of the independent list Most to form a government of national unity, who concluded something along the lines of: ‘How can I sit at the same table with a person/party that is…’

There are those rare moments when nations receive very important messages, I believe we have received the same one.
Is it possible that these people have made something so insurmountable between themselves that they are unable to sit at a common table and try to talk? Is it possible that dialogue is not possible in the name of the well-being of the very country they swear by?

Of course, it is possible, but it requires great political courage, but above all political responsibility. Or to simplify it a bit. In the elections, all participants receive a clear message that the electorate is not ready to hand over power to one party and that the polarization between parties has also spread to the electorate. Right now, the only possible way out of this situation is dialogue, sincere dialogue, not calculative! Both the first and the second, but also the third agree that we are in an unenviable situation, of course, if we rid ourselves of the political folklore in which those who have held power believe we are recording growth, while those who are trying to seize it think we are on a downward economic trajectory. Essentially, everyone agrees that the situation in the country is difficult.

Dirty Tricks of Politicians

And of course, what are our brave leaders doing at this moment? They are playing dirty tricks, looking for flaws in each other!
Do you agree with me on one very simple statement? That anyone forming a government, without an agreement with other parties, will continue the polarization in society and, what is worse, will not have enough political strength and credibility for changes and the much-desired reforms.

Some readers who read this article may think that I belong to the voting machinery and supporters of the independent list Most. I do not belong, I just naively started from the premise that we all love our country equally, that we want it to be better for our children because for us it is too late. We will obviously not be able to secure a better future for ourselves. A general political dialogue in society would be a good start to embark on a path that will bring progress to this country. This is not naive as many so-called political analysts try to portray these initiatives. It is primarily wise and it would be statesmanlike behavior for those who wish to be statesmen.

Political Epilogue We Deserve 

But I think it will end differently, perhaps just as we deserve. I deliberately do not highlight various conspiracy theories and who is whose Trojan horse, whether this or that political option has already bought voters because I think that is irrelevant. The loser is society as a whole anyway. In one of my previous columns, I wrote about the consensus regarding the minimum political issues that are indisputable. Of course, it is naive to expect that in such an environment the interests of political options and worldviews fall into the background, while the overall interest of society comes to the forefront.

Be that as it may, voters have sent a message, no one can reach power independently. The option that wins power through buying or, if you want to call it trading, will ultimately be deprived of the opportunity to implement the broad and structural reforms so needed by this society. Obviously, we deserve that.