# Croatian SDP‑Možemo coalition faces HDZ attacks, resigns > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/budva-mayor-accused-of-emptying-municipal-treasury-amid-salary-defaults > Updated: 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 46. Developments: 14. Since early May 2026 the SDP‑Možemo coalition has been under intensified pressure from the ruling HDZ. In Divlje pčele, opposition figure Željko Budimir was barred from the mayoral post after police intimidation, and the post was handed to a government‑preferred candidate. Internal SDP turmoil deepened: former parliamentarian Igor Rađenović was dismissed as director of Zagreb’s city cemeteries; Zadar councilor Daniel Radeta quit the party, citing a loss of courage; Vukovar SDP leader Kruno Raguž resigned amid disputes over party control; and long‑time member Branko Kolarić left after 19 years, condemning the party’s democratic erosion. These departures reduced SDP’s parliamentary count. SDP president Siniša Hajdaš Dončić launched a reform agenda, confronting Dubrovnik mayor Mato Franković over local projects and promoting policies such as a shorter work week, tax reform and health‑care improvements. The coalition named Dončić its prime‑ministerial candidate and pushed budget amendments for homes for the elderly, new schools and subsidies for glasses and newborn allowances. HDZ escalated attacks: a Lego‑style video targeted Možemo! mayor Tomislav Tomašević, harsh rhetoric followed a parliamentary committee incident, and the party criticised SDP over the anti‑fascist ceremony in Brezovica and a sports‑hall project in Trogir. Local disputes continued, with SDP‑led officials accusing HDZ of delaying a domestic‑violence crisis centre in Split‑Dalmatia and defending Split Pride. Možemo! gained poll traction while SDP secured an absolute win in Kastav. The regional Domovinski Pokret exited the HDZ‑led coalition in Šibensko‑Kninska County and later suffered an internal split, with secretary Josip Dabro accusing president Ivan Penava of sabotage. Parliamentary speaker Gordan Jandroković downplayed former president Zoran Milanović’s election plans, prompting further tension with SDP leader Dončić. The coalition remains in opposition, facing sustained HDZ attacks and a series of internal resignations that reshape its parliamentary strength. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-06: Kruno Raguž Resigns as Vukovar SDP Leader, Leaves Party Kruno Raguž quit the Vukovar SDP leadership and party membership, citing internal disputes, and will serve as an independent city councilor. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kruno-ragu-resigns-as-vukovar-sdp-leader-leaves-party ### 2026-07-23: Croatian MP Branko Kolarić Leaves Social Democratic Party (SDP) MP Branko Kolarić quit Croatia’s Social Democratic Party after 20 years, citing the dissolution of the Zagreb branch, internal election clash and loss of trust, while retaining his parliamentary seat. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-mp-branko-kolari-leaves-social-democratic-party-sdp ### 2026-07-20: Branko Kolarić resigns from Croatia's SDP after nearly two decades Branko Kolarić quits Croatia's SDP after 19 years, citing a shift away from party ideals. He will stay independent in parliament, press the HDZ majority but will not join it. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/branko-kolari-resigns-from-croatias-social-democratic-party ### 2026-07-18: Domovinski Pokret rift: Josip Dabro challenges President Ivan Penava DP secretary Josip Dabro resigns and publicly attacks President Ivan Penava, accusing him of sabotaging a Croat‑rights resolution; Penava stays silent as HDZ leader Andrej Plenković pushes DP MP Tomislav Sokol 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/domovinski-pokret-rift-josip-dabro-challenges-president-ivan-penava ### 2026-07-11: Croatian parliament speaker Jandroković says HDZ indifferent to Milanović's election plans Jandroković says HDZ is indifferent to Zoran Milanović’s possible candidacy, while SDP chief Hajdaš Dončić claims Jandroković is gearing up for elections and plans to oust PM Plenković; Jandroković dismisses it 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-parliamentary-speaker-jandrokovi-rejects-electionplot-rumours-amid-coalition-talks ### 2026-07-02: Domovinski pokret exits HDZ coalition in Croatia's Šibensko‑Kninska County DP leaves the HDZ-led coalition in Šibensko‑Kninska County, citing ignored proposals; the coalition falls to 15 of 31 seats but retains a majority with SDSS support. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/domovinski-pokret-exits-hdz-coalition-in-croatias-ibenskokninska-county ### 2026-06-30: Daniel Radeta leaves Croatia's SDP, criticises party's lack of courage Zadar councilor Daniel Radeta quit Croatia's SDP, citing lack of courage, while new Zadar SDP leader Erol Gaši urged him to return his council mandate. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/daniel-radeta-leaves-croatias-sdp-criticises-partys-lack-of-courage ### 2026-06-28: Možemo! gains traction as HDZ ramps up attacks in Croatia HDZ’s Lego video against Možemo! follows a poll showing its decline and Možemo!’s rise, while SDP wins the Kastav local council with 51% of votes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moemo-gains-traction-as-hdz-ramps-up-attacks-in-croatia ### 2026-06-28: Split officials clash over domestic‑violence centre plan and Pride event criticism In Split, opposition parties press HDZ to create a domestic‑violence crisis centre, while councilor Puljak rebuts anti‑Pride remarks, urging tolerance. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/split-officials-clash-over-domesticviolence-centre-plan-and-pride-event-criticism ### 2026-06-20: Croatian HDZ clashes with SDP over Brezovica holiday and Trogir projects HDZ rebuked SDP criticism over the Brezovica anti‑fascist Day ceremony and later dismissed SDP mayor’s complaints in Trogir, defending municipal investment in a new sports hall. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/josip-matkovi-attacks-ante-bili-defends-hdz-projects-in-trogir-dispute ### 2026-06-14: Croatia's SDP‑Možemo! coalition faces HDZ attacks as election campaign heats up Croatian SDP leader Matej Mišić expects Hajdaš Dončić as PM candidate, while analyst Jerko Trogrlić says HDZ‑Možemo! clashes have already sparked an intense election campaign. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatias-sdpmoemo-coalition-faces-hdz-attacks-as-election-campaign-heats-up ### 2026-06-11: Croatian SDP leader Siniša Hajdaš Dončić outlines party agenda as Dubrovnik mayor calls for public confrontation Dubrovnik mayor calls SDP chief Siniša Hajdaš Dončić to a public showdown over alleged EU fund losses, while Dončić claims the SDP has shifted to a future‑focused agenda and nears a coalition deal with Možemo!. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-sdp-leader-sinia-hajda-doni-outlines-party-agenda-as-dubrovnik-mayor-calls-for-public-confr ### 2026-05-14: Croatian SDP grapples with internal disputes amid mayor's criticism and ex‑city official's dismissal Croatian SDP faces internal strife as ex‑parliamentarian Igor Rađenović is dismissed from Zagreb cemeteries and former mayor Milan Bandić attacks presidential r 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-sdp-grapples-with-internal-disputes-amid-mayors-criticism-and-excity-officials-dismissal ### 2026-05-04: Željko Budimir barred from mayoral post after police pressure in Divlje pčele Željko Budimir won Divlje pčele election but was forced by police to relinquish the post, with Zdravko Šušnjara appointed instead. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eljko-budimir-barred-from-mayoral-post-after-police-pressure-in-divlje-pele --- Cite as: Croatian SDP‑Možemo coalition faces HDZ attacks, resigns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/budva-mayor-accused-of-emptying-municipal-treasury-amid-salary-defaults