HDZ faces political crisis amid falling approval ratings

The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) is preparing for a crisis meeting following polling data that shows the party's rating has dropped to a critical 25 percent. This represents the lowest level for the party during Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's third mandate and a continuous downward trend over several months.

The decline is attributed to public reaction regarding corruption scandals, specifically an affair involving the delay of hazardous waste disposal in Gospić. Analysts suggest this trend could destabilize Plenković's leadership and alter the country's political dynamics eighteen months ahead of parliamentary elections.