Jandroković on Sandra Benčić's statement: 'It is an outburst of hate'

Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković has strongly condemned a statement made by Sandra Benčić of the Možemo! party, who referred to members of the ruling HDZ party as "livestock." Jandroković described Benčić's remark as an "outburst of hate" and expressed deep concern over the visible contempt she displayed towards her political adversaries during a committee session.

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We are colleagues who work together in the Croatian Parliament; we have different views on Croatian reality, different worldviews, but such an outburst of hate, which is not the result of affect or an argument, is simply her stance.

"We are colleagues who work together in the Croatian Parliament; we have different views on Croatian reality, different worldviews, but such an outburst of hate, which is not the result of affect or an argument, is simply her stance," Jandroković stated during a visit to Virovitica-Podravina County. He noted that Benčić's facial expression conveyed an "incredible amount of contempt and hatred towards political opponents."

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Her facial expression showed an incredible amount of contempt and hatred towards political opponents.

Jandroković further criticized the lack of apology or explanation from Benčić or her colleagues following the incident. He characterized the individuals involved as having "very rigid views" who "cannot tolerate their political opponents" and "think the worst of them, clearly not choosing their words." He deemed this a "serious problem" and indicated that the situation would be noted to address this form of communication and political action.

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Such outbursts, incidents, and messages of hate, intolerance, and contempt should not be present.

Appealing for a more civil political discourse, Jandroković emphasized that Croatia is a democratic country where differences in political and worldview perspectives are natural. He stated that "such outbursts, incidents, and messages of hate, intolerance, and contempt" are unacceptable. He urged Benčić and her left-wing coalition colleagues to find the strength to recognize that their actions were inappropriate and to return to a different form of communication, stressing the importance of respecting one another even amidst political struggles.

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You cannot characterize your political opponents in that way and then somehow boast about it.