Twenty Years of Activity of the Councils and Representatives of the Slovene National Minority in Croatia

Abstract

The article analyses the activity of the councils and representatives of the Slovene minority in Croatia. Data analysis, sourced from official documents of the Croatian Government and media reports (including minority media), indicates that members of the Slovene minority in Croatia have not fully acknowledged the significance of these political bodies, which could potentially play a more prominent role in improving their position. Slovene minority members do not take advantage of all available opportunities and do not nominate candidates in all communities eligible under the law. Their lack of understanding or disinterest also reflects in low voter turnout, suggesting that they do not view Slovene minority councils and representatives as relevant political players through which they could improve their position. Other reasons are similar to those affecting other minorities, including varying (often very limited) financial support reliant on local authorities, lack of media attention for these political bodies, and lack of acknowledgment and recognition from local authorities. The study also revealed a strong correlation between Slovene societies and Slovene minority councils and representatives. Societies significantly influence the formation of these bodies. Thus, in communities where no Slovene societies exist, or their activities are limited and too weak to cover the entire county (e.g., when only one society operates in a county), no political body, whether a representative or a council, has been established.