Vesna Škare-Ožbolt
Encyclopedia
Vesna Škare-Ožbolt is a Croatia
n politician.
Before the first democratic elections in 1990, Škare-Ožbolt used to work in Croatian judiciary. In the 1990s she joined the Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ) and became one of the advisors to President Franjo Tuđman.
In the late 1990s she handled the sensitive negotiations leading to a peaceful return of Serb-occupied areas of eastern Slavonia to Croatian sovereignty.
After defeat of the HDZ party in the 2000 parliamentary elections
, Škare-Ožbolt, widely perceived as a moderate, left that party and followed Mate Granić
to newly formed Democratic Centre (DC). Three years later, she won a seat in Sabor, which turned out to be the only one for DC.
After Granić resigned she took the leadership of DC and joined the government of Ivo Sanader
as the minister of justice
. She was the only non-HDZ minister in Sanader's cabinet.
Croatian judiciary has generally been perceived as one of the most corrupt and most inefficient branches of government. Škare-Ožbolt launched a highly publicised drive for reform, most notably by trying to digitalise the land registries, which have been notoriously inaccessible.
During the last months of her tenure, Škare-Ožbolt was involved in highly publicised extradition proceedings against former Serb warlord Dragan Vasiljković
, which were ultimately unsuccessful. At the same time, the Croatian government's legal strategy the Gotovina
trial was leaked to the press, allegedly by the Ministry of Justice.
On 10 February 2006, Sanader dismissed Škare-Ožbolt and replaced her with Ana Lovrin
, an HDZ member.
Škare-Ožbolt's party failed to get any seats at the November 2007 parliamentary elections
.
In summer of 2009 she announced her candidacy in the Croatian presidential election, 2010
. She won 1.89% of the vote in the first round and was eliminated.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n politician.
Before the first democratic elections in 1990, Škare-Ožbolt used to work in Croatian judiciary. In the 1990s she joined the Croatian Democratic Union
Croatian Democratic Union
The Croatian Democratic Union is the main center-right political party in Croatia. It is the biggest and strongest individual Croatian party since independence of Croatia. The Christian democratic HDZ governed Croatia from 1990 to 2000 and, in partial coalition, from 2003...
(HDZ) and became one of the advisors to President Franjo Tuđman.
In the late 1990s she handled the sensitive negotiations leading to a peaceful return of Serb-occupied areas of eastern Slavonia to Croatian sovereignty.
After defeat of the HDZ party in the 2000 parliamentary elections
Croatian parliamentary election, 2000
Elections for the Chamber of Representatives of the Croatian Parliament were held on January 3, 2000. These were the first elections to be held after the expiration of a full term of the previous Chamber....
, Škare-Ožbolt, widely perceived as a moderate, left that party and followed Mate Granić
Mate Granic
Mate Granić is a Croatian diplomat and politician who was part of the Croatian Government in much of the 1990s.Granić was born in Baška Voda in Dalmatia...
to newly formed Democratic Centre (DC). Three years later, she won a seat in Sabor, which turned out to be the only one for DC.
After Granić resigned she took the leadership of DC and joined the government of Ivo Sanader
Ivo Sanader
Ivo Sanader |Split]]) is a Croatian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Croatia from 2003 to 2009.Sanader obtained his education in comparative literature in Austria, where he also later worked in the 1980s. He worked as a journalist, in marketing, publishing and also as a private...
as the minister of justice
Ministry of Justice (Croatia)
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Croatia is the ministry in the Government of Croatia which is in charge of prosecuting government cases and the administration of institutions falling within the scope of the judiciary system ....
. She was the only non-HDZ minister in Sanader's cabinet.
Croatian judiciary has generally been perceived as one of the most corrupt and most inefficient branches of government. Škare-Ožbolt launched a highly publicised drive for reform, most notably by trying to digitalise the land registries, which have been notoriously inaccessible.
During the last months of her tenure, Škare-Ožbolt was involved in highly publicised extradition proceedings against former Serb warlord Dragan Vasiljković
Dragan Vasiljkovic
Dragan Vasiljković nicknamed Captain Dragan was a founder and captain of the Serbian paramilitary unit called the Knindže . Currently imprisoned in Australia, he is accused of war crimes by the Republic of Croatia, wanted by Interpol...
, which were ultimately unsuccessful. At the same time, the Croatian government's legal strategy the Gotovina
Ante Gotovina
Ante Gotovina is a former Senior Corporal of the French Foreign Legion and former Lieutenant General of the Croatian Army who served in the Croatian War for Independence...
trial was leaked to the press, allegedly by the Ministry of Justice.
On 10 February 2006, Sanader dismissed Škare-Ožbolt and replaced her with Ana Lovrin
Ana Lovrin
Ana Lovrin , is a Croatian politician. She held the post of Minister of Justice in the first and second cabinets under Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, from February 2006 to October 2008....
, an HDZ member.
Škare-Ožbolt's party failed to get any seats at the November 2007 parliamentary elections
Croatian parliamentary election, 2007
Parliamentary elections to the Croatian Parliament were held on 25 November 2007 in Croatia and on 24 November and 25 November 2007 abroad. The campaign officially started on 3 November...
.
In summer of 2009 she announced her candidacy in the Croatian presidential election, 2010
Croatian presidential election, 2010
The first round of the fifth presidential election in Croatia was held on Sunday, December 27, 2009, with twelve candidates participating. The second round between first-round winner Ivo Josipović and first-round runner-up Milan Bandić was held on Sunday, January 10, 2010...
. She won 1.89% of the vote in the first round and was eliminated.