Croatian Deputy PM Resigns After Gun Shooting Footage Emerges

In a shocking turn of events, Croatia's Deputy Prime Minister Josip Dabro has submitted his resignation after a video surfaced showing him firing a gun from a moving vehicle. The footage, which depicts Dabro in the passenger seat of a car laughing and singing to the music before picking up a pistol and shooting out the window, has prompted significant backlash. Representing the far-right Homeland Movement, Dabro stated that the video was old and involved the use of training bullets. However, the government deemed his actions "inappropriate and irresponsible," contributing to significant pressure around his role in the coalition formed in May 2024.

In his resignation, shared via Facebook, Dabro emphasized his desire not to distract from the government's work, especially amid reforms in his roles as the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. The incident has reignited scrutiny over Croatia's coalition government, which includes Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). The resignation adds to the government's instability, following the sacking of Health Minister Vili Bros last year due to a corruption probe. Meanwhile, recent presidential elections saw Zoran Milanovic re-elected, intensifying a political atmosphere ripe with challenges for the ruling parties.