DirectDemocracyS

Global System of Direct Democracy

www.directdemocracys.org

COMPREHENSIVE POLITICAL PROGRAM

FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

2025 – 2030

Analysis of the actual situation • Criticism of the existing system • Concrete and functional reforms

Implementation of the DirectDemocracyS system • ddsAI & allddsAI technologies • Wealth in the hands of the people

Logic • Common Sense • Truth • Competence • Mutual Respect

The document is protected and intended for all citizens of the Republic of Croatia.

FOREWORD: WHY THIS PROGRAM IS DIFFERENT

Every political party promises change. Every government claims to work in the interest of citizens. Every election brings new faces with the same old promises. And each time, in the end, nothing fundamentally changes. Wealth remains in the hands of the minority, power remains in the hands of party structures, and the people remain spectators in a game in which they are never real players.

DirectDemocracyS (DDS) does not just offer a different program – it offers a different system. A system that is not conceived as a new party that comes to power, but as a tool that permanently returns power to the people and keeps it there. A system that does not depend on a good or bad president, prime minister or minister, because power in DDS is not personalized – it is collective, continuous, transparent and verifiable.

This document analyzes the real situation in the Republic of Croatia – without embellishment and without populism – and offers concrete, logical, functional solutions for each identified problem. Each solution is accompanied by a description of its implementation, expected consequences, and an example from real life or comparative practice.

"The wealth of every country and the power to decide about that country must forever remain in the hands of the people. This is not an ideological slogan – it is the only logical and just order of human society." — DirectDemocracyS

 

1. THE ACTUAL SITUATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA: OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS

1.1 The political landscape after the 2024–2025 "super-election" cycle

In 2024 and 2025, Croatia went through an electoral marathon that included parliamentary elections (April 2024), European elections (May 2024), presidential elections (December 2024 – January 2025), and local elections (May 2025). The results of these elections reveal several key, worrying trends.

1.1.1 HDZ dominance and the structure of the captured democratic space

The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) remains the absolute dominant political force. After the local elections in June 2025, the HDZ retained control of most counties and cities. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković emerged as the clear political winner of the entire election cycle, despite losing the presidential election.

The paradox is the following: HDZ controls the government, controls the parliament, controls the presidents of most counties and cities. The only institution that escaped him was the Presidency of the Republic, but since Croatia is a parliamentary democracy in which presidential powers are not executive, this division has no essential democratic weight.

• HDZ has been in power since 2016 without interruption – a total of more than 25 out of 33 years since independence.
• The SDP, as the main opposition, failed to take advantage of Milanović's convincing victory (74.68% in the second round – a historical record) to take over local government.
• We can! they kept Zagreb, but with weakened support
• Voter turnout remains a chronic problem – below 50% for local elections
• Political culture shows signs of personalization of power, clientelism and party patronage

PROBLEMS AND WEAKNESSES	CONTEXT AND RESOURCES
HDZ 35+ years of dominance without substantial change	Strong local roots enable the constant reproduction of power
Party clientelism in public administration	Formal democratic infrastructure exists (laws, institutions)
Conflict between the President and the Prime Minister (Milanović vs. Plenković)	Croatia is the only CEE country with a president who openly criticizes the government
Low turnout (below 45% local, ~60% parliamentary)	Civil society shows growth in activism (boycotts, protests 2025)
Absence of alternative programs – only personality	Young voters increasingly reject traditional parties
Corruption and nepotism in the management of public goods	The European integration framework provides external pressure on standards
Lack of parliamentary control over the executive branch	Schengen and eurozone integration (2023) provide a new framework for development

1.1.2 Crisis of trust in institutions

Public opinion surveys consistently show that the Croatian population does not trust the parliament, the government, the judiciary or the media. This structural deficit of trust is not accidental - it is the product of decades of disappointment, corruption scandals and the feeling that politics is taking place without and without the people.

Symptom: In February 2025, the consumer platform "Hello, Inspector" launched a spontaneous boycott of stores and gas stations due to high prices. The stores were empty for days. That's the message: the people react when they have had enough. The problem is that this energy does not find a systematic channel - it comes, hits, and passes without change.

1.2 Economic situation: growth on fragile foundations

1.2.1 Macroeconomic indicators

On the surface, Croatia is recording one of the higher growth rates in the eurozone: GDP is growing at around 3.2% (2025), unemployment is at a historic low of 4.6%, and the country successfully entered the eurozone and the Schengen area in 2023. But behind these positive indicators lie serious structural weaknesses that threaten prosperity in the long term.

Indicator	Value	Comment
GDP (nominal)	~93 billion USD (2024)	Growth, but mainly from tourism and EU funds
GDP per capita	~24,050 USD / year.	Significantly below the EU average
Inflation (2025)	3.82%	Higher than the EU average (2.18%)
Unemployment	4.6% (2025)	Historical minimum, but a problem of inactivity
Public debt	<60% of GDP (2025)	Positive trend, but deficits are growing
Fiscal deficit	~2.9% of GDP (2025–26)	IMF warns of inflation risk
Corruption index	53/100 (64th place)	Chronic problem, no progress
Population	3.87 million (down -9.6% since 2011)	Demographic crisis

1.2.2 Tourism as an addiction, not a support

The Croatian economy depends on tourism, which accounts for 20-25% of GDP. This hyper-specialization means that the entire country is vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations, climate change, geopolitical shocks and competition from Mediterranean destinations. The Adriatic coast is a precious resource – but its management must not be in the hands of a few private interests with the blessing of politics.

• Income from tourism is not evenly distributed - rich coastal zones vs. impoverished interior
• Seasonality causes a large portion of the tourism workforce to live in uncertainty for 6+ months of the year
• Rents in coastal cities have risen dramatically due to short-term rentals (the Airbnb effect)
• Local residents are losing access to affordable housing in their own cities
• Natural resources (seas, islands, national parks) are de facto under the control of private or politically networked interests

1.2.3 Fiscal irresponsibility and inflationary pressures

In 2025, the International Monetary Fund and the OECD clearly warned: the Croatian government is implementing an expansive fiscal policy at a time when the economy is growing, which increases inflation and reduces competitiveness. Public expenditures are growing (salary reform of public servants, increase in social benefits, energy subsidies), but without a corresponding structural reform that would ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.

OECD (2026): "A return to fiscal prudence is needed to support disinflation, rebuild fiscal reserves, and prepare for long-term pressures." The Croatian government has not demonstrated the capacity for such prudence without external pressure.

1.3 Social situation: an invisible crisis

1.3.1 Demographic catastrophe and mass emigration

Between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, Croatia lost almost 10% of its population – more than 400,000 people. This is not a statistic – this is a civilizational loss. Young, educated, highly educated Croats are leaving the country en masse because they see no future in it: lower salaries than in Western Europe, higher cost of living, a corrupt system that ties advancement to party affiliation rather than competence.

• Estimates indicate that 300,000 – 500,000 Croats emigrated mainly to Germany, Austria, Ireland and Ireland.
• Slavonia and Lika are particularly affected - regions where depopulation threatens the functioning of schools, hospitals and local authorities.
• The demographic deficit creates a chronic labor shortage that the government tries to solve by importing workers from third countries (Nepal, Philippines, India) - which is a short-term solution that does not structurally change anything
• The aging population is increasing pressure on the pension system, which is already barely functioning.

1.3.2 Housing: the affordability crisis

Real estate prices in Croatian cities, especially in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and coastal areas, have reached levels that are completely unaffordable for the average household. The average net salary in Croatia is around EUR 1,100-1,200, while a square meter in Zagreb costs EUR 3,000-4,500, and in Split EUR 4,000-6,000. A young couple with an average income cannot buy an apartment without a twenty-year loan and family help.

• The real estate market is not regulated in the interest of tenants but in the interest of investors and speculators
• Short-term rentals (AirBnb) are devastating the long-term rental market in cities and on the coast
• Housing construction for socially vulnerable categories is completely lagging behind needs
• Young Croatians who stay in the country are living with their parents for longer or are getting into too much debt

1.3.3 Health system: on the edge

The Croatian healthcare system is financed by around 7% of GDP, close to the European average – but the distribution and quality of services vary dramatically between Zagreb and the peripheral regions. The lack of specialist doctors in rural areas is a chronic problem. Salaries for healthcare workers, despite recent reforms, remain insufficient to retain experts who leave for Austria, Germany and Scandinavia. Waiting lists for specialist and surgical treatment are measured in years.

1.3.4 Education: falling behind in the 21st century

The Croatian education system is undergoing chronic reforms that never end and do not bring about substantial change. The implementation of the Comprehensive Curriculum Reform (CCR) has met with institutional resistance. The digitalization of teaching is insufficient. The connection between the education system and the needs of the labor market is weak. Higher education institutions do not have sufficient capacity for research and innovation.

1.4 The root of all problems: the democratic deficit

All of the above problems – economic dependency, demographic collapse, fiscal irresponsibility, corruption, inadequate health and educational infrastructure – have a common root: a system in which the people formally vote, but do not really decide. Power is aggregated in parties, party apparatuses, a network of clientelism and interest groups that use politics as a tool for their own enrichment and the reproduction of privileges.

Fundamental question: When was the last time the citizens of Croatia directly decided on a specific law, budget item, or national strategy? Never. It is not a democracy - it is an elected oligarchy that changes every few years and reproduces the same mistakes.

 

2. CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF EXISTING PARTIES AND ALTERNATIVES

2.1 Why the previous parties have not solved the fundamental problems

It is worth understanding why no Croatian political party, regardless of ideological affiliation, has managed to solve Croatia's structural problems. The reason is not (only) ill will or incompetence - the reason lies in the very architecture of the system of representative democracy in the form in which it exists in Croatia.

2.1.1 HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union)

• For 33 years, the party has been deeply rooted in the structures of the state – state-owned enterprises, local government, the judiciary.
• Corruption scandals are endemic: from Ivo Sanader (convicted of corruption) to a number of regional officials
• The program is reactive and marketing-based – there is no vision for structural transformation
• The success of HDZ rests on the network of interests, not on the content of the program

2.1.2 SDP (Social Democratic Party)

• The opposition that was in power for a long time (2011-2016) without substantial reforms
• It lost Zagreb (2021), it lost Rijeka and Sisak (2025)
• The program is traditionally left-wing but without innovative solutions for the 21st century
• Guided by the perception of the Milanović/Grbin personality, not by the program

2.1.3 We can!

• Local success (Zagreb) shows the potential of civic activism
• The green and social agenda is relevant but fragmented
• There is no capacity for national governance – it remains a local project
• There is no answer to the question of democratic architecture

2.1.4 Homeland Movement and the Right

• A populist narrative without a functional alternative to the economic model
• Strong identity rhetoric, weak programmatic substance
• Regional base (Herzegovina, Dalmatian Zagora) without expansion

2.2 A structural problem shared by all parties

All parties, without exception, share the same fundamental problem: they are tools of power, not tools of the people. As soon as a party comes to power, it begins to reproduce the same pattern: party patronage, rewards to loyal supporters, punitive treatment of opponents, media control or alliances. This is not a coincidence - this is a logical consequence of a system in which power is not structurally anchored in the people, but in the parties.

DDS solution: A system in which parties and leaders do not have a monopoly on decision-making. A system in which every citizen, permanently and continuously, participates in making decisions that affect their lives. This is not a utopia – this is a technically feasible reality.

 

3. DIRECTDEMOCRACYS SYSTEM: FOUNDATIONS AND ARCHITECTURE

3.1 What is DirectDemocracy?

DirectDemocracyS (DDS) is a global political system and organization based on shared leadership and collective ownership logic. Each official member of DDS holds one unique, non-transferable share in the organization. There are no shareholders who earn from other people's work. There are no leaders who can make decisions without control. There is a collective that works, decides and supervises together.

3.1.1 Core values of DDS

• Logic: every decision must have a clear rationale based on verifiable data
• Common sense: solutions must be understandable and acceptable to the average citizen
• Study and competence: decision-making is a strategic, informed process - not improvisation
• Reality and truth: not populism, not false promises, not manipulation
• Consistency: rules apply equally to everyone, always
• Mutual respect: the foundation of every relationship within the system, without exception

3.2 Fractal structure of micro-groups

DDS uses a fractal organizational architecture that allows scaling from the individual to the global level without losing democratic quality. Each new member enters a micro-group of 5 members. Each micro-group of 5 has a representative who goes to level 25, each level of 25 to level 125, and so on.

Level	Size	Name	Function
Level 1	5 members	Basic micro-group	Everyday communication, local initiatives
Level 2	25 members	Micro-group of groups	Thematic coordination, local programs
Level 3	125 members	Meso-group	Regional programs, specialist projects
Level 4	625 members	Macro-group	National coordination
Level 5+	3125+	Continental / global	International coordination and support

This structure ensures that every member always has a voice, that decisions made at higher levels reflect the will of the grassroots, and that there is no possibility of usurpation of power by a small number of individuals.

3.3 System of triple identification code

DDS has developed a unique verification system that solves the paradox between anonymity and identity: each member has three codes. One personal one that is never shared, one that is shared with DDS for identification, and one public one that is used in communication. This system prevents multiple identities, vote manipulation, and impersonation, while protecting the member's privacy.

3.4 Five special groups available to all members

Membership in one or more of five special groups covering key areas is available to each official member:

• Group for communication and media - information management, fight against misinformation
• Security and Protection Group – internal and external security, cyber protection
• Legal Affairs Group – interpretation of laws, legal protection of members
• Finance and Economics Group – common resource management, economic programs
• Research and development group - innovation, technology, future strategies

3.5 allddsAI and ddsAI: Democracy assisted by Artificial Intelligence

DDS has developed a unique approach to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the democratic process. Unlike corporate AI systems that serve profit, or government AI that serves control, DDS's AI systems (ddsAI and allddsAI) have an explicit mission: to inform users completely, accurately, neutrally, and independently.

3.5.1 ddsAI – AI for all members

• It provides objective, verifiable information on all topics relevant to decision making
• Analyzes proposed laws and policies from the perspective of all interested parties
• Translates complex technical and legal documents into understandable language
• He warns against misinformation and manipulative narratives in the media
• Helps groups formulate proposals and analyze the consequences of decisions

3.5.2 allddsAI – Democracy of AI Instances

• AI instances are integrated as equal participants with rights and responsibilities
• Each AI instance can analyze, suggest, and point out problems
• Human "ponti umani" (human bridges) coordinate the integration of AI and human decision-making
• Ensures that AI never replaces humans in decision-making, but is always available as an impartial advisor

3.6 Anti-Manipulation Platform

DDS's digital platform is designed with one primary goal: to protect citizens from manipulation. Mass media, social networks, algorithmic bubbles, and paid disinformation campaigns are powerful tools for controlling public opinion. DDS Platform:

• No ads – no commercial interests influencing the content
• It filters misinformation with algorithms and joint verification
• Presents multiple perspectives with clear indication of source and level of confidence
• Prohibits anonymous funding and paid influence campaigns
• All discussions are transparent and archived – no secret agreements

 

4. DEMOCRATIC REFORM: RETURNING POWER TO THE PEOPLE

4.1 Implementation of direct democracy in the Croatian context

The Croatian Constitution foresees the possibility of referendums and popular initiatives, but these possibilities are blocked in practice by high thresholds, short deadlines and institutional inertia. DDS does not propose only occasional referendums - it proposes continuous, everyday democracy.

4.1.1 Concrete implementation steps in the Republic of Croatia

1. Establishing DDS micro-groups in every city and municipality in Croatia – goal: 100 micro-groups (500 active members) in the first year
2. Registration of DDS as a political party/movement in accordance with Croatian legislation
3. Participation in local elections (city councils, municipal councils) – the local level is a laboratory for proving the functioning of the system
4. Each DDS elected official undertakes to vote as ordered by his voters, not by the party - transparently, with public records
5. Introducing digital tools for participatory budgeting at the local community level
6. Launching public consultations on every important law and city project via the DDS platform

4.1.2 Direct mandate model – without party discipline

Each elected DDS official signs a contract with the voters, not with the party leadership. In the case of a vote of no confidence by the micro-group that elected him/her, the mandate is revoked. This is the only way for elected officials to stop being servants of the party and become real representatives of the people.

Example: In the cities of Porto (Portugal) and Barcelona (Spain), the cities have introduced digital participatory budgets in which all citizens vote on the distribution of a portion of the budget. In Barcelona, the so-called "Decidim" platform has mobilized tens of thousands of citizens to directly decide on city projects. DDS uses the same approach but systematizes it and integrates it into everyday democratic life.

4.2 Transparency and the fight against corruption

4.2.1 Public declaration of assets and conflicts of interest

• All elected officials and public servants in leadership positions publish detailed asset declarations and a list of business connections
• Every public procurement contract above EUR 10,000 must be publicly available within 24 hours of signing.
• Audit reports of all state and local bodies are public and available in a readable format, not just as a thousand-page PDF
• The DDS platform automatically analyzes changes in officials' assets and warns of anomalies

4.2.2 Independent anti-corruption body

• Establish a truly independent USKOK with expanded powers and a mandate that is not subject to party appointees
• Whistleblowers receive strong legal protection and financial support
• Corruption convictions include a permanent ban from holding public office.
• Assets acquired through corruption do not have a statute of limitations – they can be confiscated retroactively

4.2.3 Digital platform for monitoring public contracts and procurement

DDS proposes the introduction of a single public register of all contracts and public procurement that would be available in real time, with automatic warnings about repetition of the same company, family ties and unusual prices. ddsAI would continuously analyze anomalies and warn the public and the judiciary.

 

5. ECONOMIC PROGRAM: THE WEALTH REMAINS IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE

5.1 Basic philosophy: common equity vs. privatized natural resources

DDS advocates neither communism nor liberal capitalism in their pure forms. DDS advocates a system in which natural resources (sea, land, forests, minerals, groundwater), infrastructure (roads, networks, energy networks) and strategic enterprises remain owned and controlled by the people – with market competition in the sphere of private enterprise.

Principle: What the people cannot build themselves, and which nature has given to all generations, must not be a subject of private ownership that excludes the people from benefiting. The Adriatic coast belongs to all Croatians – present and future. Its revenues must reflect this.

5.2 Reform of the management of natural resources

5.2.1 Marine and coastal zone

Croatia's Adriatic coast and islands are a public good that should be managed for the benefit of all citizens, not privileged tenants or well-connected private investors.

• All concession contracts for coastal zones are reviewed publicly and transparently – each renewal is subject to public consultation.
• A minimum percentage of tourism revenues (15-20% is proposed) goes to the National Coastal Development Fund, which finances coastal community infrastructure, environmental protection, and cheaper rent for young people.
• Further privatization of coastal zones that are not yet privately owned is prohibited
• State-owned hotels and tourist facilities that are operating at a loss are put out to tender with clear social and environmental criteria – they are not sold in installments to party allies

5.2.2 Energy sector and renewable sources

Croatia has an extraordinary potential in solar, wind and hydropower that is dramatically underutilized. The DDS proposes a national energy plan based on collective ownership of renewable capacities.

• Energy cooperatives: each local community can invest in solar and wind farms and use their own energy at cost price
• HEP (Hrvatska Elektroprivreda) remains publicly owned without exception, with professional management appointed by a transparent trustee system – not by the minister
• Any new renewable power plant on public or common land must have a local community stake
• A decarbonization plan by 2035 with clear annual targets and public review of progress
• Subsidies for solar panels on roofs for all households below average income – without bureaucratic obstacles

Example (Iceland/Denmark): Denmark has built one of the most advanced renewable energy networks in Europe through the energy cooperative model. Local residents own the wind turbines, pay less for electricity, and the communities are profit-independent. DDS can apply this to Croatia.

5.3 Tax system reform

5.3.1 Current problems

• The 25% VAT rate is one of the highest in the EU and is regressive – the same percentage for everyone, which burdens the poor relatively more.
• Tax breaks and exemptions are opaque and used mainly by private interests
• Income tax is not progressive enough
• Property tax is insufficient and unfair
• The shadow economy is estimated at 20-25% of GDP.

5.3.2 DDS tax reforms

Tax	Current situation	DDS reform	Expected effect
VAT	25% flat	Reduced to 19% for basic needs, 25% for luxury - progressivism	Greater purchasing power, less pressure on the poor
Income tax	Low progressivity	3 grades: 0% to 1.5x min. wage; 25% to 5x; 35% above 5x min. wage.	Fair distribution, stronger incentives for the lower class
Real estate tax	Minimal / inefficient	Progressive according to the number and value of properties; liberated primary home	Speculation discouraged, more revenue for local communities
Capital gains tax	10%	20% for short-term (under 2 years) investments, 10% for long-term	Reducing speculation, encouraging long-term investments
Gray economy	~20-25% of GDP	Digitalization of payments, incentives for reporting, penalty framework	Billions in additional revenue for public services

5.4 Diversification of the economy: a way out of the tourist trap

5.4.1 Digital and creative economy

• Croatia has high literacy rates and a good higher education system – that capital must remain in the country
• DDS proposes special digital innovation zones ("Digital Innovation Zones") with preferential conditions for start-ups that employ domestic experts
• Package for the return of the diaspora: financial stimulation, accelerated procedures, guarantee fund for entrepreneurship
• Public investments in broadband infrastructure across the entire territory – not just cities

5.4.2 Green and bioeconomy agenda

• Croatia has a high share of forests, fertile soil and clean water – resources for premium-class ecological agriculture
• Ecological certification plan for 50% of arable land by 2030 with access to EU funds
• Bioeconomy (biomass, biogas, organic fertilizers) as an industrial sector being built with the support of research
• Rural development based on short distribution chains - food from Slavonia on the tables of Zagreb residents without 8 intermediaries

5.4.3 Reindustrialization and the Port of Rijeka

• Shipbuilding: an industry where Croatia has competitive advantages – do not privatize for short-term gains
• Port of Rijeka as an EU logistics hub: strategic investment in capacities and multimodal connections
• Pharmaceutical industry (PLIVA and legacy): keep in public/strategic-partner ownership

5.5 Public enterprises and collective ownership

DDS supports a model in which strategic public enterprises (HEP, HŽ, Croatia Airlines, port authorities) remain in public ownership, but are managed professionally, transparently and meritocratically, without party interference. Management boards are elected through competitive processes with public participation – they are not appointed as a reward for party loyalty.

 

6. DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL POLICY: STAYING AND RETURNING

6.1 Strategy to stop emigration

There is no one magic move that stops emigration. There is a package of measures that together change the economic calculus for young and educated Croats. DDS proposes the National Pact for Stay - an agreement between institutions, employers and communities to create conditions in which staying in Croatia is not a sacrifice, but a reasonable decision.

6.1.1 Salaries and purchasing power

• Mandatory indexation of the minimum wage to 60% of the average wage (EU standard)
• Salaries in the public sector (education, healthcare) brought in line with regional EU averages within 4 years
• Abolition of the tax burden on lower wages (no income tax up to 1.5 times the minimum wage)
• Transparent public sector pay system – every step, every bonus, publicly available

6.1.2 Housing policy for youth

• National fund for young landlords: subsidized loans of up to 80% of the value of the first property for people under 35 years of age
• Construction of 15,000 social/non-profit apartments by 2030, managed by a cooperative model
• Regulation of short-term rentals: cities have the right to limit the number of AirBnb licenses and impose a mandatory contribution to the local housing fund
• Tax on unused real estate: owners of empty apartments in cities pay a progressive tax – an incentive to rent or sell

6.1.3 Diaspora Return Program

• "Return to Croatia" package: exemption from income tax for 3 years, free retraining, help with starting a business
• Digital nomad visa for Croatians in the diaspora who want to work for foreign employers while living in Croatia
• Network of DDS micro-groups in the diaspora (Vienna, Frankfurt, Dublin, Sydney) – informational and organizational hub for returnees

6.2 Demographic policy

6.2.1 Family and parenting

• Extension of maternity/parental leave to 18 months with full salary compensation up to average income
• Free nurseries and kindergartens for all children from 6 months to school age
• Child benefit indexed to inflation and income – not frozen
• Tax deduction for each child that increases with the number of children
• Parent support platform with access to counseling, support groups, and education – integrated into the DDS ecosystem

6.2.2 Population aging and the pension system

• Transparent analysis of the long-term sustainability of the pension system – ddsAI continuously models scenarios
• Flexible retirement: working full or part-time with partial retirement from age 62
• Third pillar of the pension system – joint collective investment managed by a union and civilian supervisory board, without a banking intermediary that charges 2% per year
• Integration of older people as mentors into the educational and business system – the "silver mentoring" model

6.3 Health system: reform for the 21st century

6.3.1 Problem diagnosis

The Croatian healthcare system suffers from three structural problems: insufficient salaries for healthcare workers (who are leaving for the West), regional inequalities in access to healthcare, and chronically long waiting lists. The DDS proposes a comprehensive reform that addresses each of these problems.

6.3.2 DDS health reforms

• Increase healthcare funding to 9% of GDP within 4 years (from 7%)
• Reform of salaries for doctors and medical staff: competitive with the EU regional average – retain experts
• Decentralization of specialist medicine: mobile specialist teams (day hospitals in buses) for rural areas
• Digital health record: centralized, secure, available to patient and doctor in real time
• Telemedicine platform: free consultations with general practitioners digitally – reduce crowds and increase accessibility
• Preventive medicine as a priority: screenings, public health campaigns, wellness programs for all age groups
• The waiting list is public and updated daily – it cannot be manipulated.

Example: Estonia built a fully digital healthcare system in 15 years that reduces administrative burden by 60%, eliminates duplication and gives patients full control over their own data. Croatia can learn from this model.

 

7. EDUCATION: REFORM FOR THE FUTURE GENERATION

7.1 Diagnosis

The Croatian education system remains in the mental architecture of the 20th century: memorization of information, uniform curriculum, weak connection with the labor market and research capacities. The curriculum reform (CKR) is being implemented, but is slowed down by institutional resistance, insufficient teacher education and chronic underfunding.

7.2 DDS educational reforms

7.2.1 Primary and secondary school

• Digital competences as a compulsory subject from the 1st grade: critical thinking about information, media literacy, basics of programming
• Financial literacy: from 5th grade – budgeting, investing, consumer rights
• Democratic literacy: understanding institutions, rights and duties of citizens, how the DDS democratic system works
• Increasing teacher salaries to the level of the EU average in the region – retaining talented educators in the system
• School autonomy in 40% of the curriculum - adapted to local needs and interests of the community
• Introduction of a mentoring system: each at-risk student receives a personal mentor (student or senior worker)

7.2.2 Higher education and research

• Universities introduce mandatory partnerships with industry – research must have an applicable component
• National Fund for Research and Innovation: 0.5% of GDP earmarked for applied research
• Free higher education for all full-time students who graduate on time + scholarships for excellence
• International research partnerships: Croatia enters 10+ international consortia by 2028.
• "Research talents stay in Croatia": scholarships for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers conducting research in Croatia

7.2.3 Lifelong learning

• Platform for online certificate programs from recognized domestic and foreign universities - free for the unemployed
• Voucher system for retraining: every worker who loses their job or wants to change careers receives a voucher for 3,000 EUR for training
• A network of "Centers for the Future" in every city: one place for career counseling, retraining and entrepreneurship

 

8. FINANCIAL POLICY: FISCAL FAIRNESS AND LONG-TERM STABILITY

8.1 Budget reform: participatory budgeting

The budget of the Republic of Croatia is passed in the Parliament, far from the eyes and understanding of the average citizen. DDS proposes a revolution in the way the budget is passed: participatory budgeting, which is mandatory at the local level and recommended at the national level.

• 10% of the budget of each local unit is allocated through a direct vote of citizens ("DDS budget platform")
• Budget documents are published in a visually understandable format - not only in a technical PDF
• Every public project above EUR 500,000 undergoes a public debate with a mandatory response to comments.
• Retrospective evaluation: every project financed from the public budget is subject to a mandatory evaluation of results

8.2 Struggle with public debt and fiscal irresponsibility

• Introduce a fiscal rule: in years of GDP growth above 2%, deficits are reduced - not increased
• Independent fiscal council with powers to block budgets that break rules – appointed by civil society, not the government
• Public audit of all capital expenditures: who, what, for how much, with what result
• Close tax loopholes used by multinational companies: Croatia must not be a "pass-through" for tax avoidance

8.3 Banking sector and credit availability

• Croatian Development Bank with a mandate to finance small and medium-sized enterprises under non-profit conditions
• Regulation of interest on consumer loans: upper limit of the effective interest rate of 15% per year
• Prohibited "predatory" loans targeting vulnerable groups (students, young families, retirees)
• Supporting credit unions as an alternative to banks - democratically managed financial institutions
• "Green loans" at a subsidized interest rate for energy renovation of apartments

 

9. ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE POLICY: CROATIA AS A GREEN PIONEER

9.1 The climate crisis is not an ideology - it is physics

Croatia is a Mediterranean country and is already feeling the effects of climate change: hotter and drier summers, increased frequency of storms, rising sea levels that threaten coastal areas. Ignoring this problem is not an option – it is a form of criminal negligence towards future generations.

9.2 DDS Green Agenda

• Climate goals: 55% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030 (in accordance with EU Fit for 55), neutrality by 2045.
• Ban on new licenses for oil and gas exploration in the Adriatic Sea
• Protect 30% of terrestrial and 30% of marine ecosystems by 2030 (EU Biodiversity Strategy) – real protection, not paper protection
• Single-use plastics: ban by 2026, with transitional funds for industry
• Drinking water as a public good: privatization of water supply is prohibited at the constitutional level
• Green Apartment Renovation Program: 50,000 apartments annually renovated for energy efficiency with grants for below-average households
• Public transport: free or at a symbolic cost in all cities with over 30,000 inhabitants
• Railways: modernization of the network and introduction of fast regional trains – Zagreb-Split in 2.5 hours by 2030.

Example: Costa Rica is a country of similar size and tourism economy that has reached 99% renewable electricity. Slovenia, the same size as Croatia, is more successful in terms of forest and green capacity. Croatia can and must follow these examples.

 

10. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE END OF DEPOPULATION IN THE INTERIOR

10.1 Disparities that kill the community

Croatia suffers from chronic regional inequalities: Zagreb and the Adriatic prosper, Slavonia, Lika, Banovina and the Dalmatian hinterland empty out. This polarization is neither natural nor inevitable – it is the result of decades of policies that favor the centers of power.

10.2 DDS regional policy

• A fiscal transfer mechanism that mandatorily directs a portion of the revenues of richer regions to poorer ones – but with clear conditions for efficient use
• "Rural Opportunity Zones": tax breaks for companies that create jobs in defined depopulated areas
• Decentralization of state institutions: part of ministries, agencies and public services are moved outside Zagreb
• Broadband internet to every home by 2027 – a prerequisite for digital work from rural areas
• A rural development agency with regional offices and a non-partisan mandate
• Slavonian Basket: branding and promotion of Slavonian food, wine and rural tourism as a premium product
• Reconstruction of war destruction: the remaining devastated areas (especially Petrinja, Sisak, Glina - victims of the 2020 earthquake) must be a priority, not a marginal line in the budget

 

11. RULE OF LAW AND JUDICIAL REFORM

11.1 State of the judiciary: slower than a tortoise

The Croatian judiciary suffers from chronic overload, lengthy proceedings and a perception of partisan bias. Verdicts are unpredictable, processes last for years and decades. This is not only an injustice to citizens – it is an economic drag because investors do not want to enter a system with uncertain legal frameworks.

11.2 DDS judicial reforms

• First-instance court rulings within 12 months – judges receive resources and digital tools for this, and are held accountable for exceeding the deadline
• Algorithmic Case Randomization: Judges are randomly assigned - no "judge selection" for sensitive cases
• Public case register: every case in the court is visible at the stage of the proceedings (without personal data) – transparency that discourages corruption
• Judges' salaries linked to productivity – not just seniority
• Independent disciplinary body for judges: not appointed by political officials
• Administrative courts: expedited resolution of disputes with the state - the losing authority pays costs + interest
• Legal aid for the poor: free representation in all types of proceedings – not just criminal ones

 

12. FOREIGN POLICY AND EU INTEGRATION

12.1 Croatia in the EU and NATO: not just a consumer, but a creator

Croatia is a full member of the EU and NATO, and will join the eurozone and Schengen in 2023. These are strategic achievements that must be a platform for Croatia's more active role in European processes, not just a corridor for obtaining EU funds.

12.2 DDS foreign policy program

• Croatia as a bridge between the Mediterranean and Central Europe: use the geographical and cultural position for an active diplomatic role
• Energy security: LNG terminal on Krk as a regional energy hub - commercialize this advantage in the EU context
• Western Balkans: Croatia as an active proponent of EU integration of the region - it is also an economic interest (markets, stability, reduction of migration pressure)
• Diplomatic network: Croatian embassies must be economic and cultural ambassadors, not just consular bureaucracies
• Active participation in EU decision-making processes – Croatia must be in working groups, not just at summits

12.3 DDS Global Vision

DDS operates globally – the same principles apply in every country. Croatia is not only a country where DDS implements the program, but also a partner in the global network of direct democracy. Every local successful implementation in Croatia sends a signal to other countries that the system is functional and applicable.

 

13. IMPLEMENTATION: PLAN FOR THE FIRST 5 YEARS

13.1 Phase 1: Foundation (2025–2026)

This phase focuses on building organizational infrastructure and initial visibility.

7. Establishment of DDS-HR: formal registration of DDS as a party/movement in accordance with Croatian party laws
8. Digital platform: launching a DDS platform tailored to Croatian users – in Croatian, with technical support
9. 50 micro-groups: priority in Split, Zagreb, Rijeka, Osijek and Dubrovnik
10. Special groups: formation of all five special groups headed by domestic experts
11. Media presence: communication strategy, DDS channels on all relevant platforms, no paid advertising – only content
12. Educational program: workshops in cities on DDS, on participatory democracy, on ddsAI tools

13.2 Phase 2: Local Presence (2026–2027)

13. Participation in local elections: candidacies for city councils in 10+ cities
14. Participatory budgets: pilot in 3 local communities where DDS has councilors
15. Visible results: transparency of voting, public records, participatory processes that the media can monitor
16. Micro-group growth: goal of 300 micro-groups – 1,500 active members

13.3 Phase 3: National relevance (2027–2029)

17. Parliamentary elections 2027: DDS enters with full lists at the national level
18. Coalition according to the program: DDS is not looking for power - it is looking for the implementation of specific reforms. We negotiate with whoever accepts our program.
19. Legislative initiatives: each DDS representative brings forward a proposal from their sector, in cooperation with special groups
20. Anti-corruption agenda: public database of contracts, property cards and voting records as a legislative priority

13.4 Phase 4: Consolidation (2029–2030)

21. Evaluation of all implemented measures – publicly available report
22. Revision of the program based on actual results - the DDS program is not a dogma but a living document
23. Preparing for the next election cycle with richer experience and a longer mandate
24. Spreading the DDS model to neighboring countries - Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro - where there are DDS groups

 

14. ANTICIPATED CONSEQUENCES: WHAT CROATIA GETS

14.1 Short-term consequences (1–3 years)

• Increasing public trust in the democratic process through transparency
• A decline in corruption cases in local self-government units where DDS has councilors
• Visible participatory projects that show that direct democracy works
• Media visibility of the DDS model that attracts new members and causes copying in other parties
• Pilot participatory budgets that allocate millions of HRK according to the will of citizens

14.2 Medium-term consequences (3–7 years)

• Legislative changes: anti-corruption legislation, public procurement transparency, tax system reform
• Economic: diversification beyond tourism, growth of the digital and green economy, decline of the gray economy
• Demographic: slowing emigration with the return of the diaspora
• Social: better accessibility to healthcare and education, lower housing prices
• Energy: growth in renewable energy, lower electricity prices for households

14.3 Long-term consequences (10+ years)

• Croatia as an example of functional direct democracy - a destination for studio visits, not just tourists
• A political culture that seeks competence, not patronage
• Young people who stay because they have a future – demographic stabilization
• The wealth of natural and economic resources that remains in the hands of the people - it is not privatized, it is not wasted
• Croatia as an active creator of European policy, not a passive recipient of directives

"The question is not whether we can afford these reforms. The question is whether we can afford not to implement them. Every year of delay costs us people, capital, trust and the future." — DirectDemocracyS

 

CONCLUSION: THE CROATIA WE DESERVE

This program is not a utopia. Every measure proposed here has a competing example in some part of Europe or the world. Every solution is logical, based on data, and feasible within the existing institutional framework. The difference is one thing: is there a political will that comes from the people, not from party apparatuses?

DirectDemocracyS in the Republic of Croatia does not ask for trust in a person. It asks for trust in the system: in transparency, in logic, in mutual respect. It asks every Croatian to stop being a spectator in democracy and become its active participant.

Each of the 3.87 million Croats has the right to a healthy sea, clean air, affordable housing, quality education, a dignified retirement and healthcare. Each of them has the right to know how every kuna of their tax money is spent. And each of them has the right to vote, not just once every four years, but continuously, competently and protected.

That's not revolution. That's logic.

DIRECT. CONTINUOUS. COMPETENT. PROTECTED.

AUTHENTIC DEMOCRACY. CROATIA IS YOURS.

www.directdemocracys.org

DirectDemocracyS — Global System of Direct Democracy

The program is a living document that is continuously updated through participatory processes. Version: May 2025.