HDZ emerged on the public scene as a ‘party of dangerous intentions,’ as described by the then leader of SDP, Ivica Račan. Dangerous intentions returned to Croatian politics last Saturday when the Center Party gathered about thirty experts who presented their ‘dangerous ideas’ on how Croatia can be governed differently at a day-long meeting in Zagreb.
– It is not only important to remove HDZ from power; it is truly important what you will replace it with. I think that is a mistake that has happened in the past, when more thought was given to how to replace someone than what we will actually do with Croatia – said the president of the Center, Ivica Puljak.
Indeed, current political ratings do not indicate a possible change in power, but this think tank is a welcome refreshment in a stagnant political scene where members of only one party can think about ministerial positions, while all opposition members can only think about parliamentary shadows.
The authors gathered by the Center proposed changes in politics (primarily to reduce corruption), in territorial organization, and addressed issues in the economy, healthcare, tourism, agriculture, IT, education, culture… The contributions ranged widely: from comprehensive to individual proposals, from expert elaborations to sectoral lobbying.
We present highlights from 27 presentations. It will be interesting to see how the Center members will incorporate them, as they promised, into the party program with which they plan to run in the elections next year. If they manage to create an effective mix, the party that governs Split is unlikely to govern Croatia, but it could strengthen its position in parliament.
27 Dangerous Ideas
Ivica Puljak, Center Party:
A new beginning for Croatia is possible, this time without HDZ.
Frane Šesnić, ZICER:
Ideas for year-round tourism in Croatia – the Adriatic highway as a cycling path, an energy-sustainable country producing healthy food. Croatia as a technological sandbox where new technologies can be easily experimented with.
Dubravka Jurlina Alibegović, Economic Institute – Zagreb:
Territorial reorganization – mandatory merging of municipalities so that they can fulfill their constitutional role of quality and equal service to citizens.
Marko Matijević, Srednja.hr:
Stop corruption in the academic community – review all professor promotions through program contracts; reduce overlapping study programs; internationalize job competitions.
Dražen Lalić, FPZ Zagreb:
Establish the German model of financing religious communities,’church tax’ is paid voluntarily to the religious community, and those who do not want to can donate to a humanitarian organization.
Boris Šuljić, entrepreneur:
Agro-parks where small fields for healthy food production could develop in tax-free zones; small towns lack the capacity to manage urban policy, and this needs to change.
Igor Vlajnić, conductor and master of economics:
Complete transparency in culture, which is now going in the opposite direction with the new law, and political power will directly affect a large part of culture.
Maja Đerek, lawyer:
Local governments should manage real estate in their area, rather than each city depending on the government’s willingness to grant land for a specific project.
Marko Vučetić, philosophy professor and political activist:
Limiting political mandates to two for any position is also an anti-corruption measure.
Mate Janković, entrepreneur:
Paying gross salaries to workers to create awareness of how much state services cost, which are often inaccessible and expensive.
Vedrana Pribičević, ZŠEM:
Liberalization of the second pension pillar. Following Estonia’s example, allow voluntary contributions to the second pillar and free disposal of contributions, with income tax paid if contributions are withdrawn. This would enable healthy competition among pension funds, increase returns for users, and reduce the influence of politics on them.
Viktorija Knežević, lawyer:
Rationalize the number of employees in public administration in one electoral cycle. Define the scope of work, optimal number of people, determine the highest quality through testing and evaluation, and create a multi-year program for laying off excess staff.
Janoš Terzić, scientist:
All elections in science, from professors to deans to rectors, should be based on scientific excellence – citations and the quality of journals of their scientific articles.
Hrvoje Klasić, historian, FF Zagreb:
Confronting the past must be based on scientific facts, a multi-perspective approach, a willingness to dialogue with dissenters, and consideration of arguments.
Toni Šćulac, scientist, PMF Split:
Croatia needs to become a country where meritocracy prevails, where decisions are based on data, facts, analyses, and research.
Josip Budimir, manager:
More emphasis should be placed on the financial consequences of corrupt activities. More successful judicial proceedings should be conducted, not only for the return of unjustly acquired benefits but also for damages caused by committing corrupt acts, as well as for damages caused by gross violations of obligations in performing public duties. Treat damages caused by action and inaction equally.
Branimir Lazanja, designer, Vern’ and APU Rijeka:
Introduce education and regulation into the problems of visual pollution of space or the deterioration of quality of life caused by visual stimuli.
Relja Beck, parasitologist:
Croatia should be a leader in the production of top-quality and healthy food based on parasite control, rather than uncontrolled use of drugs, which causes resistance. Croatia already leads in some examples of such food production today.
Tamara Šoić, teaching group 45minuta:
Introduce licensing for school principals instead of the current selection based on suitability. Expand the good practice introduced by Split and Zagreb of selecting school board members through public calls, rather than political appointments.
Marin Račić, architect:
Easier, faster, and cheaper obtaining of building permits, based on conceptual rather than main projects, which only serve to obtain permits and are not sufficient for construction.
Ivan Guštin, entrepreneur:
For public money – public code. Open source software codes ordered by the state at the expense of taxpayers would allow other companies to upgrade, which would bring savings and prevent favoritism.
Leonardo Bressan, KoHOM:
Increase the number of family medicine doctors through systematic increases in material rights and ensuring accommodation in smaller places.
Lana Pavić, Center Party:
Fight against the dominant discourse on human illegality. People cannot be illegal because that denies their humanity and diminishes the opportunity for integration, which should start at the border.
Marijana Puljak, Center Party:
Electronic voting is the way to greater citizen participation in decision-making at all levels. It would increase voter turnout in elections, ensure that only eligible voters vote, and eliminate errors in counting. The most dangerous idea is that an individual can really change things.
Petar Lovrić, entrepreneur:
Croatia urgently needs to develop and implement smart demographic policies. Discussions on a new territorial and administrative structure should take into account that Croatia’s demographic picture is poor.
Luka Jadrić, councilor of the municipality of Seget:
It is a dangerous idea to involve people in politics and make politics fun. In the municipality of Seget, HDZ has ruled in a suspicious manner since 1993. When people organize, it is possible to achieve a good result in elections and change their environment.
Dragan Petric, Bug:
Introduce a Ministry of Information Technology (IT) modeled after many advanced countries. The ministry would free the IT industry from excess bureaucracy, reduce taxes and levies on new companies and young people, invest in startups, fund studies at private universities, and encourage teachers of mathematics and computer science.
