From political events and affairs to sporting successes, but unfortunately also tragedies, we recalled ten events that marked the last 365 days in Croatia.
1. Parliamentary elections
Parliamentary elections in Croatia, held in mid-April, were marked by a record voter turnout. HDZ was the relative winner of the election with 61 mandates, while the second-placed Rijeka Pravde coalition won 42 mandates.
2. Croatian skies are guarded by Croatian Rafales
April 25 was a historic day for the Croatian Air Force. The first six of a total of 12 Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets arrived in Croatia from France. These planes replaced the outdated MiG-21, and by acquiring them, Croatia significantly improved its air defense capabilities.

3. Baby Lasagna
Baby Lasagna, the Croatian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, achieved extraordinary success with the song "Rim Tim Tagi Dim". In the final of the competition held on May 11 in Malmö, he won second place with a total of 547 points, which is the best result of Croatia in this competition. Although it was second overall, Baby Lasagna received the most viewer points.

4. European elections
From June 6 to 9, elections for the European Parliament were held, where Croatian citizens elected their representatives. 21,35% of voters exercised their right to vote, the lowest in the entire EU. Out of a total of 12 mandates, HDZ got 6, SDP 4, and DP and Mozemo won one each.
5. Self-immolation on St. Mark's Square
On June 11, a shocking incident took place on Markovo trg in Zagreb, when a man doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire. Despite the quick reaction of the services that tried to save him, he later died of his injuries in the hospital. The motive is allegedly related to dissatisfaction with the political situation, although the details have not been fully clarified.
6. Seven Olympic medals
At the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Croatian sportsmen and women won seven medals. Brothers Valent and Martin Sinković in rowing and Barbara Matić in judo won gold medals, Donna Vekić won silver in tennis and the water polo team, and Miran Maričić in archery, Sandra Elkasević in athletics and Lena Stojković in taekwondo won bronze medals.
7. Bloodshed in Daruvar
Retired military policeman Krešimir Pahoki killed six people in the Daruvar Home for the Elderly and Infirm at the end of July, while two months later the seventh victim died of his injuries. After the attack, Pahoki fled, but was soon arrested near a cafe. According to unofficial information, the motive for the bloodshed was unsettled property relations between mother and son.

8. Arrest of the Minister of Health:
On November 15, Minister of Health Vili Beroš was arrested on suspicion of corruption and removed from office. According to the charges, Beroš allegedly manipulated public procurements and favored certain companies in exchange for bribes. This investigation caused political turbulence, including a conflict between the DORH and the European Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the jurisdiction and conduct of the investigation.
9. Tragedy in Prečko
On December 20, in the Prečko neighborhood of Zagreb, a 19-year-old armed with a knife entered the school and attacked the teacher and the children. A seven-year-old child was killed in the attack, while the teacher received 31 stab wounds while trying to protect the children. Three more children were injured. This tragic event shook the whole of Croatia and started discussions about safety in schools and the mental health of young people.
10 Presidential elections
The end of 2024 was marked by another election. On December 29, citizens elected the new president of the Republic of Croatia from among 8 candidates. Zoran Milanović, the SDP candidate and partner, convincingly won with 49,09 percent of the votes in the first round and narrowly missed the second round. In the second round on January 12, he will face Dragan Primorac.
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