Croatian President

Croatian President

The President of Croatia (Croatian: Predsjednik Hrvatske), officially styled the President of the Republic (Croatian: Predsjednik Republike) represents the Republic of Croatia in the country and abroad as the head of state, maintains the regular and coordinated operation and stability of the national government system, and safeguards the independence and territorial integrity of the country. The president calls elections for the Parliament of Croatia (Croatian: Hrvatski Sabor) as well as referenda. The president also appoints prime ministers on the basis of the balance of power in the parliament, grants pardons and awards decorations and other state awards. The President of Croatia and the government cooperate in the area of foreign policy, and the president is the commander-in-chief of the Croatian armed forces while directing the operation of the Croatian security and intelligence system jointly with the government. The president may dissolve the parliament as provided by the constitution. Although enjoying immunity, the president is impeachable for any violation of the constitution. In case of incapacitation to discharge duties of office, the Speaker of the parliament assumes the office of acting president until the president resumes duty, or until election of a new president.

The Office of the President of the Republic (Croatian: Ured Predsjednika Republike) consists of the immediate staff of the president of Croatia, as well as support staff reporting to the president. The office is headquartered in the Presidential Palace (Croatian: Predsjednički dvori) in the Pantovčak area of Zagreb. The Constitution of Croatia defines the appearance and use of the presidential standard, flown on buildings of the Office of the President of Croatia, the residence of the president, the transportation vehicles when in use by the president, and in other ceremonial occasions.

The president is elected on the basis of universal suffrage, through a secret ballot, for a five-year term. If no candidate in the elections secures more than 50% of the votes, a runoff election is held. The Constitution of Croatia sets a limit to a maximum of two terms in office. The president-elect is required to take an the oath of office before the judges of the Constitutional Court. Franjo Tuđman won the first Croatian presidential elections in 1992 and 1997. During his time in office, the constitution of 1990 provided for a semi-presidential system. After his death in 1999, the constitution was amended and much of the presidential powers were transferred to the parliament and the government. Stjepan Mesić won two consecutive terms, in 2000 and in 2005. Ivo Josipović won the presidential elections held in December 2009 and January 2010.