Zagreb mayor questions need to defend anti-fascist values

Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević recently voiced his perplexity regarding the ongoing need to defend anti-fascist values in Croatia. He highlighted that the nation's constitution and the observance of Anti-Fascist Struggle Day as a state holiday underscore the importance of this historical stance. Yet, he observed, the justification for celebrating anti-fascism and continuing the fight against its resurgence still needs to be explained.

The article points to official declarations, such as a 2005 parliamentary declaration affirming anti-fascist values and a 2006 declaration condemning crimes of the communist regime. These documents, passed by parliamentary majorities including HDZ, theoretically solidify the anti-fascist foundation of the state. However, the author suggests that the left-wing political spectrum often remains silent on the condemnation of communist-era crimes, creating a perceived imbalance in historical discourse.

Furthermore, the piece calls for a more objective and holistic examination of the World War II era and the anti-fascist movement in Croatia. It emphasizes the need to differentiate the anti-fascist movement from communist ideology, a distinction also noted in the 2005 declaration. The underlying sentiment is that a complete and unbiased historical reckoning is necessary to fully address the legacy of these periods and ensure that foundational values are understood and upheld without selective interpretation.