Whose Army Is It? General Kundid Faces Unprecedented Humiliation as Defenders Remain Silent

The Croatian government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, is facing accusations of state capture and operating more as a party-state than a legal one. This is exemplified by the situation surrounding General Tihomir Kundid, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces. Kundid has reportedly fallen out of favor with the government after refusing to send Croatian troops to a parade in Paris, defying a command from the Supreme Commander. The article frames this as a conflict between loyalty to the ruling HDZ party and duty to the Croatian Army.

According to the report, Kundid is being punished for not acting as a soldier of the HDZ party but as a general of the Croatian Army. The narrative suggests that the government rewards loyalty and does not forgive betrayal, even within its own ranks. Those who deviate from strict party discipline risk losing the government's trust. The article criticizes this approach, implying that the state has become a place of "state worship" where the government dictates and citizens are expected to follow blindly.

The situation highlights a perceived tension between political loyalty and professional duty within Croatia's state institutions. The article implies that Kundid's actions, seen as upholding the integrity of the Croatian Army, have led to his "unprecedented humiliation" by the government. The silence of other defenders is noted as significant, possibly indicating fear or adherence to the party line.