Milanović Calls Plenković to Urgent Meeting Over Military Command Dispute

Croatian President Zoran Milanović has ordered the armed forces not to participate in a military parade in Paris on July 14, 2026. He has summoned Prime Minister Andrej Plenković to an urgent meeting to discuss alleged government pressure on the Chief of the General Staff, Tihomir Kundid.

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The undermining of the command system seriously jeopardizes 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.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Milanović stated that he, as the Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces, issued the order for non-participation. He accused the government of pressuring Kundid to disregard the President's command, which he claims directly threatens the command system within the armed forces.

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Dear Mr. Prime Minister, I inform you that I, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, have issued an Order that the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia will not participate in the military parade in Paris on July 14, 2026.

Milanović emphasized that undermining the command system seriously jeopardizes the stability of the entire defense system. He called for all parties to return to the frameworks prescribed by the constitution and laws. The dispute between the President's office and the government reportedly stems from the invitation for Croatian soldiers to participate in the French military parade. While Milanović opposes sending troops, the government maintains that he does not have the authority to decide this matter, with the Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić making the decision.

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Given that the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia is exposed to pressure from the Government of the Republic of Croatia, through which he is asked to disrespect and not implement the Order of the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, I propose an urgent meeting at which we will discuss these circumstances that directly endanger the command system in the Armed Forces.