Croatian Leaders to Meet Amidst Dispute Over Sending Troops to Paris Parade

Croatian President Zoran Milanović, Defense Minister Ivan Anušić, and Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid are set to meet in Slunj on July 1, 2026, to observe the "Combat Power 26" military exercise. This gathering occurs amidst a significant dispute between the President's office and the government regarding the deployment of Croatian soldiers to a military parade in Paris.

President Milanović has voiced his opposition to sending troops to the French parade. However, the government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, maintains that Milanović lacks the authority to make such a decision. According to the government, the Defense Minister holds the power to decide, with the Chief of the General Staff then tasked with implementing it.

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We expect the decision to be implemented. If that is not the case, the Chief of the General Staff will no longer have my or the government's confidence. We hope such a scenario will not occur.

Prime Minister Plenković emphasized that Croatian soldiers participated in a similar parade in Paris in 2013. He expects General Kundid to adhere to the law and execute the Defense Minister's order. Plenković warned that failure to comply would result in the Chief of the General Staff losing both his and the government's confidence.

Earlier, President Milanović had invited Plenković to an urgent meeting, citing "government pressure on the Chief of the General Staff and the endangerment of the command system in the Croatian Armed Forces." Milanović argued that this situation seriously jeopardizes the stability of the entire defense system and requires all actors to return to their constitutionally and legally defined roles. Plenković, however, rejected the invitation.

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The endangerment of the command system seriously threatens the stability of the entire defense system, which represents a serious problem and requires a clear return of all actors to the frameworks prescribed by the Constitution and laws.