![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaThe sharp-tongued president livening up Croatia’s electionPublished2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage caption, The presence of Zoran Milanovic means the result of the Croatian election has become unpredictableBy Guy DelauneyBBC News, Zagreb, CroatiaThe involvement of Croatia’s sharp-tongued president in the country’s parliamentary election on Wednesday may not be constitutional. But it is certainly livening up what had threatened to be a predictable affair. The country’s parliamentary polls tend to follow a pattern. A centre-left coalition led by the Social Democrats (SDP) runs against the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), whose support runs from centre-right to right-wing nationalist. Most of the time, the HDZ wins. It consistently reaps the rewards of a large membership base and strong organisation – though opposition parties claim that patronage and corruption are just as influential.But this election looks like it might be different. And that is all down to the presence of Zoran Milanovic.He has consistently been rated as the country’s most popular politician since he became president four years ago, even though as head of state he has little actual power in running the country. So, announcing that he would be the SDP’s candidate for prime minister – the most senior political position in Croatia – meant that all bets were off.”The elections were already decided before that move,” says Kresimir Macan, a political analyst and consultant.”It was obvious that the ruling party, the HDZ, would be in a position to make a new governing coalition quite easily. But then Milanovic started a crusade against corruption and everything he says [the current] Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, stands for.””People may not approve of Milanovic as president, but they like the way he talks.”Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Whatever the result of the election, Mr Milanovic is likely to remain centre stagePromoting the president as a potential prime minister had an immediate impact on the opinion polls. The previously yawning gap between the SDP and HDZ narrowed significantly. Smaller parties started smacking their lips at the prospect of being kingmakers in the formation of a new government.But then the judiciary intervened. Croatia’s constitution insists that the president should not be a party-political figure – but act as the head of state for all citizens. And the Constitutional Court duly ruled that Mr Milanovic could play no part in the election campaign – unless he resigned.The president’s response was, predictably, one of outrage. He accused the judges of doing the bidding of the HDZ – “the gangster clique”, as he put it.Just for good measure, he described the country’s senior jurists as “peasants” and labelled their judgement “illiterate”.For Mr Milanovic, this was very much on-brand. Officially, he is no longer a candidate in the election, but that has not stopped him from travelling around the country and launching invective at the HDZ.This has been highly discomfiting for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who has been in office since 2017. He finds himself having to respond to the president’s accusations and comments, despite Mr Milanovic’s lack of an official role in the campaign.This was very much the situation on a sunny late afternoon in the capital, Zagreb, when the prime minister attended an event at a children’s playground in the city and faced the media under the shade of some nearby trees.Image caption, Prime Minister Plenković has found himself having to respond to the president’s accusations and commentsHe rattled off a list of his government’s achievements – and set out his plans for his next term. But reporters still wanted to hear his views about the president’s latest comments.”It’s bizarre,” Mr Plenkovic told the BBC.”I’m trying to minimise the negative effects of the unconstitutional acts that were committed by the president. The Constitutional Court couldn’t have been clearer. For us, it’s the continuation of a very odd behaviour, to be very polite, for the BBC.”The president, on the other hand, relishes being impolite. And he is not just rude about the prime minister and his party.People in neighbouring Bosnia, illegal immigration, and military aid to Ukraine have all been lashed by Mr Milanovic’s sharp tongue. Meanwhile, he has spoken admiringly about Russia’s military prowess.These are all unusual positions for an ostensibly centre-left leader to adopt. Not to mention worrying for people who would rather Croatia did not have a populist government.For now, however, many on the left are hoping that the president is playing a cunning game, rather than revealing his true character.Image caption, Sandra Bencic, prime ministerial candidate for the green-left Mozemo party, says the president is being tactical about his approach”A lot of the reaching out towards the right wing is actually tactics,” reckons Sandra Bencic, the prime ministerial candidate for the green-left Mozemo party, which is not part of the SDP coalition, but says it would be willing to join a Milanovic-led government.”He’s taking [on] the issue of security and the army, he’s taking [on] the issue of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He’s taking on all these mythical [positions] that are [usually] part of the HDZ’s strategy.”Whether he can take the SDP to victory is another matter. If the party succeeds, Mr Milanovic is likely to resign so he can become prime minister.But even if his party falls short, the president plays a major role in the post-election formation of a governing coalition. So, either way, Mr Milanovic is likely to remain centre stage.Related TopicsCroatiaMore on this storyAlleged Serbian war criminal found hiding in IrelandPublished14 April 2023Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin talks to join EUPublished21 MarchTop StoriesBowen: As Israel debates Iran attack response, can US and allies stop slide into all-out war?Published10 hours agoUS tells Israel it won’t join any Iran retaliationPublished3 hours agoAnalysis: What will Israel do next?Published17 hours agoFeaturesBBC Verify examines video from Iran’s attack on Israel. VideoBBC Verify examines video from Iran’s attack on IsraelIsrael to respond to Iran attack ‘when time is right’Sarah Snook’s chicken and nine other Olivier momentsWatch: Rushdie reveals extent of his wounds from knife attack. VideoWatch: Rushdie reveals extent of his wounds from knife attackWatching my country fall apart day-by-dayThe sharp-tongued president livening up Croatia’s electionPrimary school places 2024: When do parents find out offers?New ‘Gen Z’ Scrabble: ‘It feels a bit like cheating”I felt anger hearing my dad’s experience of racism’Elsewhere on the BBCCharlotte Church explores her working class childhoodExpect mindful moments, laughter and a few tales of teens sneaking into clubs…AttributionSoundsCould switching to olive oil be good for your health?Michael Mosley discovers the surprising benefits of this component of the Mediterranean dietAttributionSoundsMaggie Rogers performs in Radio 1’s Live LoungeEnjoy her song ‘Don’t Forget Me’ and an incredible cover of Tate McRae’s ‘Greedy’AttributioniPlayerThis is the poetry show without the poetry!Tim Key’s smart, comedic chaos with guests Stephen Merchant and Lolly AdefopeAttributionSoundsMost Read1’Obvious’ Sydney killer targeted women – police2Dad of girl missing since 1981 to hand back medals3Salman Rushdie: Losing an eye upsets me every day4Boycott of Downing Street Eid celebration planned5Universal Credit ‘must change’ to tackle sickness6Sunset Boulevard equals Olivier Awards record7Bowen: As Israel debates Iran attack response, can US and allies stop slide into all-out war?8US tells Israel it won’t join any Iran retaliation9Trump’s first criminal trial to begin in New York10Israel ‘vows revenge’ as it ‘weighs up response’](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/7803/production/_133132703_zoranmilanovic.jpg)
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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaThe sharp-tongued president livening up Croatia’s electionPublished2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage caption, The presence of Zoran Milanovic means the result of the Croatian election has become unpredictableBy Guy DelauneyBBC News, Zagreb, CroatiaThe involvement of Croatia’s sharp-tongued president in the country’s parliamentary election on Wednesday may not be constitutional. But it is certainly livening up what had threatened to be a predictable affair. The country’s parliamentary polls tend to follow a pattern. A centre-left coalition led by the Social Democrats (SDP) runs against the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), whose support runs from centre-right to right-wing nationalist. Most of the time, the HDZ wins. It consistently reaps the rewards of a large membership base and strong organisation – though opposition parties claim that patronage and corruption are just as influential.But this election looks like it might be different. And that is all down to the presence of Zoran Milanovic.He has consistently been rated as the country’s most popular politician since he became president four years ago, even though as head of state he has little actual power in running the country. So, announcing that he would be the SDP’s candidate for prime minister – the most senior political position in Croatia – meant that all bets were off.”The elections were already decided before that move,” says Kresimir Macan, a political analyst and consultant.”It was obvious that the ruling party, the HDZ, would be in a position to make a new governing coalition quite easily. But then Milanovic started a crusade against corruption and everything he says [the current] Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, stands for.””People may not approve of Milanovic as president, but they like the way he talks.”Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Whatever the result of the election, Mr Milanovic is likely to remain centre stagePromoting the president as a potential prime minister had an immediate impact on the opinion polls. The previously yawning gap between the SDP and HDZ narrowed significantly. Smaller parties started smacking their lips at the prospect of being kingmakers in the formation of a new government.But then the judiciary intervened. Croatia’s constitution insists that the president should not be a party-political figure – but act as the head of state for all citizens. And the Constitutional Court duly ruled that Mr Milanovic could play no part in the election campaign – unless he resigned.The president’s response was, predictably, one of outrage. He accused the judges of doing the bidding of the HDZ – “the gangster clique”, as he put it.Just for good measure, he described the country’s senior jurists as “peasants” and labelled their judgement “illiterate”.For Mr Milanovic, this was very much on-brand. Officially, he is no longer a candidate in the election, but that has not stopped him from travelling around the country and launching invective at the HDZ.This has been highly discomfiting for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who has been in office since 2017. He finds himself having to respond to the president’s accusations and comments, despite Mr Milanovic’s lack of an official role in the campaign.This was very much the situation on a sunny late afternoon in the capital, Zagreb, when the prime minister attended an event at a children’s playground in the city and faced the media under the shade of some nearby trees.Image caption, Prime Minister Plenković has found himself having to respond to the president’s accusations and commentsHe rattled off a list of his government’s achievements – and set out his plans for his next term. But reporters still wanted to hear his views about the president’s latest comments.”It’s bizarre,” Mr Plenkovic told the BBC.”I’m trying to minimise the negative effects of the unconstitutional acts that were committed by the president. The Constitutional Court couldn’t have been clearer. For us, it’s the continuation of a very odd behaviour, to be very polite, for the BBC.”The president, on the other hand, relishes being impolite. And he is not just rude about the prime minister and his party.People in neighbouring Bosnia, illegal immigration, and military aid to Ukraine have all been lashed by Mr Milanovic’s sharp tongue. Meanwhile, he has spoken admiringly about Russia’s military prowess.These are all unusual positions for an ostensibly centre-left leader to adopt. Not to mention worrying for people who would rather Croatia did not have a populist government.For now, however, many on the left are hoping that the president is playing a cunning game, rather than revealing his true character.Image caption, Sandra Bencic, prime ministerial candidate for the green-left Mozemo party, says the president is being tactical about his approach”A lot of the reaching out towards the right wing is actually tactics,” reckons Sandra Bencic, the prime ministerial candidate for the green-left Mozemo party, which is not part of the SDP coalition, but says it would be willing to join a Milanovic-led government.”He’s taking [on] the issue of security and the army, he’s taking [on] the issue of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He’s taking on all these mythical [positions] that are [usually] part of the HDZ’s strategy.”Whether he can take the SDP to victory is another matter. If the party succeeds, Mr Milanovic is likely to resign so he can become prime minister.But even if his party falls short, the president plays a major role in the post-election formation of a governing coalition. So, either way, Mr Milanovic is likely to remain centre stage.Related TopicsCroatiaMore on this storyAlleged Serbian war criminal found hiding in IrelandPublished14 April 2023Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin talks to join EUPublished21 MarchTop StoriesBowen: As Israel debates Iran attack response, can US and allies stop slide into all-out war?Published10 hours agoUS tells Israel it won’t join any Iran retaliationPublished3 hours agoAnalysis: What will Israel do next?Published17 hours agoFeaturesBBC Verify examines video from Iran’s attack on Israel. VideoBBC Verify examines video from Iran’s attack on IsraelIsrael to respond to Iran attack ‘when time is right’Sarah Snook’s chicken and nine other Olivier momentsWatch: Rushdie reveals extent of his wounds from knife attack. VideoWatch: Rushdie reveals extent of his wounds from knife attackWatching my country fall apart day-by-dayThe sharp-tongued president livening up Croatia’s electionPrimary school places 2024: When do parents find out offers?New ‘Gen Z’ Scrabble: ‘It feels a bit like cheating”I felt anger hearing my dad’s experience of racism’Elsewhere on the BBCCharlotte Church explores her working class childhoodExpect mindful moments, laughter and a few tales of teens sneaking into clubs…AttributionSoundsCould switching to olive oil be good for your health?Michael Mosley discovers the surprising benefits of this component of the Mediterranean dietAttributionSoundsMaggie Rogers performs in Radio 1’s Live LoungeEnjoy her song ‘Don’t Forget Me’ and an incredible cover of Tate McRae’s ‘Greedy’AttributioniPlayerThis is the poetry show without the poetry!Tim Key’s smart, comedic chaos with guests Stephen Merchant and Lolly AdefopeAttributionSoundsMost Read1’Obvious’ Sydney killer targeted women – police2Dad of girl missing since 1981 to hand back medals3Salman Rushdie: Losing an eye upsets me every day4Boycott of Downing Street Eid celebration planned5Universal Credit ‘must change’ to tackle sickness6Sunset Boulevard equals Olivier Awards record7Bowen: As Israel debates Iran attack response, can US and allies stop slide into all-out war?8US tells Israel it won’t join any Iran retaliation9Trump’s first criminal trial to begin in New York10Israel ‘vows revenge’ as it ‘weighs up response’
[ad_1] With Zoran Milanovic in the race, the result of the Croatian election has become unpredictable.
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaYvonne Aki-Sawyerr – the tree-planting mayor of Sierra Leone’s capital FreetownPublished16 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsClimateBy Tamasin FordBBC Africa EyeYvonne Aki-Sawyerr has made a name for herself as a tree-planting mayor of a West African city on the brink of a climate emergency.The 56-year-old is also the first directly elected female mayor of Freetown – and the first person to be re-elected since it became a position voted for by the residents of Sierra Leone’s capital city two decades ago.BBC Africa Eye had unique access to her and her family last year in the run-up to the elections – an insight into the highs and lows of Sierra Leonean politics and also the personal cost of living in the political limelight. But after several decades working in finance in London, what has shocked her more than anything about her return home has been the obsession about her capabilities as a woman.”There was no interview I had when I wasn’t asked: ‘So do you think you can do this job as a woman?'” says Ms Aki-Sawyerr with a smile on her face.”And I used to say: ‘Why are you asking me this?’ I am first and foremost a professional… I happen to be a woman.”You get things like: ‘Oh, she’s so stubborn. She’s difficult.’ If [those behaviours] were being displayed by a man, [they] would be encouraged and celebrated: ‘Oh he’s strong. He knows his mind.'”She credits a lot of her success to her father.”I’ve realised that I took a lot for granted in my upbringing. I’m one of four girls and people would say to [my dad]: ‘Hey, so sorry, you know, no boys.'”He’s like: ‘There’s nothing my girls can’t do that a boy could do.'”So we grew up just full of confidence and never thinking of our gender as being in any way an inhibitor.”Ms Aki-Sawyerr was born in Freetown. After graduating from the city’s Fourah Bay College with an economics degree in 1988, she moved to the UK. Not long afterwards, Sierra Leone was rocked by an 11-year civil war, characterised by widespread atrocities against civilians, thousands of whom had their arms or legs hacked off with machetes.She was one of seven Sierra Leoneans living in the UK who set up a charity to help children, especially orphans, affected by the conflict.When the Ebola outbreak reached Sierra Leone in 2014, Ms Aki-Sawyerr decided to travel back for a three-month stint as a volunteer – for which she was appointed an OBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Ten years later she is still there.”The journey to this seat, the journey to where our family’s found itself, it’s not been easy,” she admits. The moment that galvanised her entry into politics came in August 2017, when Sierra Leone suffered the worst natural disaster in its history.A colossal mudslide, caused by days of torrential rain, engulfed the streets on the edge of Freetown, killing 1,141 people.Image source, ReutersImage caption, The red gash visible on the mountain near Freetown after the devastating mudslide in 2017Ms Aki-Sawyerr decided to make the environment her focus after her election in 2018. Like many cities along the West African coast, Freetown is vulnerable to flooding, coastal erosion and extreme heat. As the authorities got to grips with the coronavirus pandemic, she launched the #FreetownTheTreeTown campaign in January 2020.Funded by tokens sold on private and carbon markets, city residents are paid to plant and monitor trees and mangroves.The aim was to plant one million trees over two years. Although the goal has been missed, more than 600,000 seedlings have been planted. The project was a finalist for last year’s Earthshot Prize, which is backed by Prince William to support those working to provide innovative solutions for environmental issues. It notes the target is now to reach the one million mark by this year – adding that “they have seen an excellent tree survival rate of over 80%”.Ms Aki-Sawyerr has won plenty of international plaudits for her climate work. In 2021, she was named in Time magazine’s TIME100 Next list of “emerging leaders who are shaping the future” for her efforts to clean up Freetown’s streets, fix its drainage systems and plant trees.Image source, Freetown City CouncilImage caption, Seedlings planted by the #FreetownTheTreeTown iniative are reported to have a survival rate of more than 80%She is on several boards and commissioning groups and spoke at COP28 in Dubai, the UN’s Climate Change Conference in 2023. Success when it comes to tackling climate change is not easy to measure and critics closer to home say she has not done enough.”She said she would clean Freetown. Freetown is still filthy. There are a lot of things she said she would do that she hasn’t done,” said Mohamed Gento Kamara, who ran against her in the 2023 mayoral elections for the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) – the party of the current president.Ms Aki-Sawyerr defends herself by saying she spent “five years with my hands tied behind my back” as she is in the opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC).”In my first term as mayor, I tried to work with the government but they rejected me.”President Julius Maada Bio has also put climate on his agenda. He spoke at COP26 in Glasgow, as well as last year’s Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi. He also launched the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security a month after his re-election.The inter-party rivalry also has darker undertones as shown in the BBC documentary, when Ms Aki-Sawyerr, her daughter and campaign team were filmed huddled on the ground in the APC headquarters on the day of the election while shots and tear gas were fired at the building. A woman died in the violence.Image caption, It was a frightening experience being caught up in electoral turmoil when tear gas was fired at the APC’s HQChallenged on whether she is now focusing more on politics rather than people, she replied: “I reject that.”But… you have to have wisdom. You have to be able to work within a context that’s different and dynamic whilst holding on to your life.”Although she won office again in Freetown last June, she was not sworn in until October as the APC, alleging fraud in the national polls, was refusing to engage in any official activities. The impasse was only overcome with the help of regional negotiators and the African Union.The climate is still on Ms Aki-Sawyerr’s agenda for her final term in office. But one thing she admits she “totally underestimated” was “the extent to which having a female mayor has been an inspiration to so many women and girls”.”It wasn’t really in my calculations, it wasn’t even in my thought process when I was running for this role, but it’s been such a significant part of who I’ve been and what impact I’ve had it’s really moved me.”Sierra Leone is seeing more women in politics than ever before, many say because of President Maada Bio’s 2022 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which sets a 30% quota of women in parliament, the cabinet and other institutions. Parliament has met that target, meaning Sierra Leone now has double the number of female MPs it had previously, and way above the average for West Africa.Quotas are helpful, says Ms Aki-Sawyerr, but they are not enough. She says she fears they “may be more about window dressing” and that “women empowerment needs to come from the heart”.Being the mayor of Freetown has made her realise many other women did not grow up with the confidence she enjoyed as a girl. “Seeing me… sort of helps a lot of women to realise that there’s nothing they can’t do.” You can watch the full BBC Africa Eye documentary Mayor on the Front Line on the BBC Africa YouTube channel.More BBC Africa Eye stories:‘Terrible things happened’ – inside TB Joshua’s church of horrorsHow a sex abuse ring targeted Gabon’s child footballersThe uniformed group targeting foreigners in South AfricaRelated TopicsSierra LeoneFreetownClimateWomen’s rights in AfricaAround the BBCAfrica EyeFocus on Africa podcastsTop StoriesUS urges more aid for starving people in GazaPublished2 hours agoI will only cut taxes in responsible way – HuntPublished13 hours agoPolice to return Mia Janin’s lost phone to familyPublished9 hours agoFeaturesDid the last Budget deliver what was promised?The Papers: Hunt looks for £9bn and German leaks on UkraineThe Ukrainian teenagers who returned for their school promMystery of giant star sand dunes solvedCan a rubberstamp parliament help China’s economy?’I embrace my alopecia, but I’d love my old hair back’ Video’I embrace my alopecia, but I’d love my old hair back’Brit Awards 2024: The real winners and losersKate, the King and three other big challenges for royalsJeremy on the Hunt for Tax Cuts. AudioJeremy on the Hunt for Tax CutsAttributionSoundsElsewhere on the BBCFrom the seizure of Crimea to the war in UkraineThe story of a decade of clashes, told by the Western leaders who traded blows with PutinAttributioniPlayerFrom the largest ship to disasters on deck…A closer look at times when cruise ships have caused commotionAttributioniPlayer’I never tried to be famous…it was accidental’Michael Parkinson with guests Ricky Gervais, Michael Palin and Kate AdieAttributioniPlayerIt’s make or break timeAnother set of eager entrepreneurs hope to impress the fearsome panelAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Mystery of giant star sand dunes solved2’No option of life on benefits for young’ – Labour3Police to return Mia Janin’s lost phone to family4Hunt looks for £9bn and German leaks on Ukraine5Israel agrees to change Eurovision song lyrics6Haiti gangs free 4,000 inmates in mass jailbreak7Warning cost of living fund closure ‘catastrophic’8Tributes to ‘one-in-a-million’ woman as murder arrest made9Girl, 7, dies in English Channel crossing attempt10US urges more aid for starving people in Gaza](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/1430/production/_132786150_mayor976.jpg)
