Political transitions in Serbia, Hungary, and Croatia

Political landscapes in Serbia and Hungary have undergone significant shifts. In Serbia, the opposition movement gained momentum following protests triggered by a fatal canopy collapse in Novi Sad, eventually leading to the electoral defeat of Aleksandar Vučić. In Hungary, the previous leadership of Viktor Orbán was removed.

These changes have prompted regional analysts to examine the political situation in Croatia, comparing the long-term political dominance and clientelism seen in Serbia and Hungary to the governance of Andrej Plenković and the HDZ. While observers note that Croatia has not established a comparable authoritarian system, they highlight similarities in party-based staffing within state institutions.

Recent polling in Croatia indicates a decline in support for major parties. The ruling HDZ has dropped to 25.5%, while the SDP fell to 17%. Conversely, the Možemo! and Most parties are growing, reaching 13.7% and 10.1% respectively. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s government faces a 61% disapproval rating, whereas President Zoran Milanović maintains 46% approval. Citizens identified corruption (63%) and inflation (61%) as the most pressing national issues.

Regarding regional diplomacy, the end of the Vučić era in Serbia has sparked debate in Croatia. While some political figures view the shift as a positive development for regional stability, others remain cautious regarding how the new Serbian administration will manage historical legacies and relations with Zagreb.