Zoran Milanović takes oath of office for his second presidential term

(Patria) - About a hundred guests, former presidents, politicians, heads of various institutions, and representatives of religious communities will attend the inauguration of Zoran Milanović at Pantovčak today.

The ceremony will begin with the ceremonial formation of the Honor Guard Battalion and the anthem, after which the new/old President of Croatia will take the oath before the judges of the Constitutional Court and deliver an inaugural address.

Eugen Husak reported from Pantovčak to the central HTV Dnevnik last night, revealing that final preparations are still underway.

- We can no longer enter the building as the last details are being arranged to ensure everything is ready for tomorrow's eighth inauguration of the President of the Republic of Croatia since the establishment of the independent state, and the second to be held at the Presidential Palace in Pantovčak instead of St. Mark's Square.

Compared to the protocol five years ago - Zoran Milanović has invited slightly more people - a total of about a hundred, and the entire program should last about as long as a school hour - around 45 minutes.

The only significant difference compared to last time is that this time the ceremony will not be attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković, or any HDZ officials - Husak said last night.

He emphasized that the official program begins exactly at noon, when President Milanović is expected to inspect the ceremonial formation of the Honor Guard Battalion.

- After the inspection, he will proceed to the hall where the oath-taking ceremony will be held. Klapa music will dominate the musical program.

The klapa of the Croatian Navy Sv. Juraj, and klapas from Sinj and Trogir will perform, but songs from Međimurje and Slavonia will also be heard, performed by the young Filipinka and the Lado ensemble - said the HRT journalist.

There will be more guests at Pantovčak today than at the inauguration five years ago, when there were about forty. Among the hundred guests will be three former presidents of the Republic - Stipe Mesić, Ivo Josipović, and Kolinda Grabar Kitarović.

Milanović also sent invitations to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Deputy Prime Ministers, but they will not attend the ceremony.

The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković and Deputy Speaker Željko Reiner (HDZ) will also not attend, having sent their apologies, but the other Deputy Speakers of Parliament will be at the inauguration - Ivan Penava (DP), Furio Radin (NZ), as well as Sabina Glasovac and Peđa Grbin (SDP), confirmed the President's Office.

The ceremony will also be attended by the chairpersons of parliamentary committees covering the constitutional powers of the President of the Republic, Arsen Bauk (Committee on Defense) and Ranko Ostojić (Committee on Internal Policy and National Security), while Andro Krstulović Opara (Committee on Foreign Policy) has sent his apologies.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia Tihomir Kundid, commanders of all branches of the Armed Forces, directors of security and intelligence agencies, and a representative of the National Security Council Office will also be present.

Additionally, the President of HAZU Velimir Neidhardt, President of HOO Zlatko Mateša, President of HND Hrvoje Zovko, Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević, Military Ordinary Jure Bogdan, and Apostolic Nuncio Giorgio Lingua, as well as representatives of the largest religious communities in Croatia.

The inauguration will also be attended by the presidents of the parties that supported him in the presidential election campaign: Siniša Hajdaš Dončić (SDP), Matija Posavec (NPS), Ivica Puljak (Centar), Krešo Beljak (HSS), Radimir Čačić (Reformisti), Lazar Grujić (SU), Milivoj Špika (BUZ), Dalija Orešković (DOSIP), Stanko Borić (Glas), Željko Pavlic (MDS), as well as Dalibor Paus (IDS) and Darijo Vasilić (PGS).

Along with his wife Sanja, Zoran Milanović's inauguration will be attended by their sons Ante Jakov and Marko, as well as members of the President's extended family.

A total of 180 journalists, camera operators, and photographers have been accredited to cover the inauguration.

Milanović won his first term on January 5, 2020, after defeating the then-president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović in the second round of the presidential elections by a majority of votes. He was elected for the second time just over a month ago, on January 12.

The holding of the inauguration at Pantovčak was introduced by Milanović himself five years ago, after previous inaugurations of Presidents Franjo Tuđman, Stjepan Mesić, Ivo Josipović, and Kolinda Grabar Kitarović were held at St. Mark's Square.

Milanović dismissed the possibility of the inauguration being held elsewhere, stating that he is bound by his decision from five years ago.