The politics of Croatia are defined by a parliamentary, representative democratic republic framework, where the Prime Minister of Croatia is the head of government in a multi-party system. The Government and the President of Croatia exercise executive power. The president of the Republic nominates the prime minister from among those candidates who enjoy majority support in the Croatian Parliament; the Parliament then chooses the candidate.
The Government of the Republic of Croatia exercises its executive powers in conformity with the Croatian Constitution and legislation enacted by the Croatian Parliament, the Sabor (Croatian: Hrvatski sabor). Its structure, operational procedures, and decision-making processes are defined by the Government of the Republic of Croatia Act
Communist Croatia, while a part of Communist Yugoslavia, had a separate government (from 1953 to 1990 known as the Executive Council, appointed by the Sabor) with limited powers (excluding defence and foreign relations; this was similar to all the previous governmental forms). Following the first multi-party elections and the adoption of the present Constitution of Croatia in 1990, the present governmental form was adopted and Stjepan Mesić became the first person to lead a non-communist government (under Yugoslavia's government), while Josip Manolić was the first prime minister of an independent Croatia.
Government Facts
1. Croatia adopted its current constitution in 1990, following its independence from Yugoslavia
3. Croatia became a member of the European Union (EU) on July 1, 2013. As an EU member, it participates in the decision-making processes of the Union while maintaining its own government structure
2. The judiciary in Croatia is independent and is comprised of municipal courts, county courts, and a Supreme Court. There's also a Constitutional Court responsible for interpreting the constitution