Photography: Tomislav Marić
Author: Rosie Kugli
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Krunoslav Katičić, an attorney by training, spent a great deal of his career as a lawyer specialising in commercial, civil, and criminal law. His legal experience, in addition to running his own law firm, also included serving on the supervisory boards of numerous companies. Katičić was also an active member of the creditors’ committee in pre-insolvency and insolvency procedures, which further testifies to his expertise.
Along with his professional accomplishments, he also takes great pride in his family life. He is the husband of the famous academic painter Ana Barbić Katičić, best known for her design of the FIFA World Cup Trophy, and the proud father of his beautiful daughter. He often advocates the importance of family values and bonds that his parents instilled in him.
When it comes to politics, he followed in his father’s footsteps: Martin Katičić, former director of the Privredna banka Zagreb bank, was a member of the Croatian Democratic Union from the very foundation of the party.
– At the moment when the current party chairman, Andrej Plenković, took over the leadership, I felt a strong urge to get involved in socio-political activities. One of the causes for it was probably the fact that politics runs in my family – he stated at the beginning of our conversation.
His political career has been marked by key roles and responsibilities. From his days as State Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Assets to his rise to MP, Katičić has always strived to introduce transparency and efficiency into the public service. His appointment as Secretary General of the Croatian Democratic Union on July 14, 2020, crowned his career in politics and confirmed his dedication to his work.
In this new position, Katičić continues to work on promoting transparency and improving the quality of life for Croatian citizens. His vision is not only political; it is deeply humanistic and aims at creating a better and more prosperous Croatia for all its citizens.
– Getting into politics was also a professional challenge for me. Most lawyers know only one side of the application of legal norms, while the other side, the very creation of a legal norm, is often a great unknown to them. From my own experience, I can testify that the process of developing a legal norm and applying it to real-world scenarios goes through many stages before the final legislative proposal. This process consists of the first initiative, lengthy concertation with various public administration bodies, and finally the public interest test through the consultation institute.
I always urge young people, especially lawyers, to be bold and accept the challenge of gaining work experience in public administration bodies. Working in public administration provides a unique opportunity to understand the complexity of the legislative process and contribute to society through specific and practical initiatives. One can gain great experience in this area, which is invaluable for further professional and personal development.
By actively participating in politics, individuals can directly influence decision-making that ensures a more successful, zestful, and just Croatia, and transparency, responsibility, legality, and integrity are the foundations on which the Croatian Democratic Union builds its policy. Fighting for higher living standards, especially in terms of raising salaries and pensions, is the permanent mission of our party, which is reflected in the latest moves made by the government – says Katičić.
He believes that continuous dialogue and understanding have the power to create a society that respects differences, which is a sine qua non for the economic prosperity of society as a whole.
– Bridging societal divisions requires a joint effort from all of us. Likewise, it is necessary to openly discuss the events of the past and the injustices we are facing today in order to find solutions that will lead us into a better future together – he says.
Katičić believes that it is important to acknowledge and accept the past, but also to work on ensuring that it does not become an obstacle to future unity. By fostering a culture of remembrance, we can make sure that the lessons of history as the teacher of life are not forgotten, but also that they are not misused so as to exacerbate divisions. He is well aware that many Croatian families have still not healed from their emotional scars, especially those from World War II and the Homeland War.
– It is my belief that in 2024 there can be no place for extremism and exclusivity in Croatian society. Dialogue about past events is crucial, as it can lead to conclusions that will help curtail potential disputes. I deem it extremely important that our children do not fall hostages to the past but rather grow up in a society that promotes understanding, tolerance, and optimism – he claims.
He points out that we should focus on creating a better and healthier future, where mental health plays a crucial role:
– The COVID-19 pandemic and the earthquakes that hit Croatia further deepened this already gaping problem. Through the establishment of mental health centres, educational campaigns, making psychological help more accessible, organising youth programmes, and cooperation with non-governmental organizations, the Croatian Democratic Union is actively working towards reducing the negative impact of these crises on the mental health of citizens, especially young people – says Katičić, adding that he holds that supporting mental health is the key to unlocking the door to a healthier and more balanced society, and he will continue to support all actions that promote this important issue.
– I will personally extend support to any activity that focuses on mental health issues. I believe that socially engaged people should push topics of common interest. It is paramount to provide assistance and support to all people who are struggling with the emotional and psychological consequences of these crises. This primarily affects young people who face uncertainty and changes in their daily lives. The policy of the Croatian Democratic Union is reflected in the increase in the availability of psychologists and therapists via free mental health helplines and other commendable initiatives – he says.
He notes that the Croatian Democratic Union is working hard to cultivate the values that make up the core of the party’s belief system. One of the cornerstones on this path are the Croatian veterans, who represent the foundation of Croatian independence and sovereignty.
– Through of a series of specific measures and initiatives, the Croatian Democratic Union continuously works to improve the rights of veterans and civilian victims of the Homeland War. It is precisely this action plan implemented by the Croatian Democratic Union, especially the deputy chairman Tomo Medved, that led to additional regulation of legal and normative acts, ensuring the fair regulation of the rights of civilian victims and Croatian veterans of the Homeland War. This legislation and standards ensure that all those who fought for Croatia’s freedom do not have to fight for proper support and merit recognition.
We can attest that the Croatian Democratic Union’s efforts and the government’s actions are to thank for the opening of veterans’ centres and providing support to veterans’ associations and cooperatives. These centres serve as a safe haven where veterans can get support, but also as communities where they can share their experiences and work on joint projects. Backing these organisations indicates a clear course of action for the party moving forward, which acknowledges and immensely values the contribution of veterans – Katičić makes it clear.
He also gives a special mention to the commencement of the process of tracing missing persons from the Homeland War. This initiative seeks to give answers and peace of mind to the families of missing persons, allowing them to finally learn the fate of their loved ones. Through these efforts, he says, the party demonstrates its commitment to justice and human rights, and ensures that the victims of the war are not forgotten. But there is more.
– We are also very proud of the modernisation of the Croatian Army, which took a lot of effort, but we soldiered on. I think the best indicator of the direction in which the Croatian Democratic Union is leading the country is the acquisition of the new Rafale aircraft, which has made the Croatian Army the strongest air force in the area from Germany to Greece. This modernisation speaks volumes about our commitment to solidifying the country’s defence capability and ensuring its sovereignty. The Croatian Army, built in the Homeland War, is a symbol of the courage and perseverance of the Croatian people, and its development and modernisation ensure that it remains a strong and respected force in the region – he says categorically.
There is another issue on which Krunoslav Katičić speaks without holding back, and that is – corruption. He openly acknowledges the existence of this problem, but he stresses that the Croatian Democratic Union does not turn a blind eye to it. On the contrary, the party’s current leadership has taken numerous anti-corruption measures that point to a strong commitment to combating corruption.
– During the mandate of this Government, the strategy paper called Anti-Corruption Strategy 2021-2030 was adopted, laying the groundwork for combating corruption in the long run. Likewise, the CDU-led government passed a new Conflict of Interest Prevention Act, outlining the rules and procedures for the prevention of corrupt activities in minute detail. All these measures clearly demonstrate the zero tolerance policy for corruption promoted by the CDU-led Government – says Katičić and continues:
– The fight against violence in all areas, including violence against women, is also very important in our work and activities… I have to get across that every activity that entails criminal liability is individualised, highlighting the personal accountability of individuals for their actions. By lending support to the independent, impartial, and due processes of judicial and police authorities, the Croatian Democratic Union makes its commitment to creating a fairer and safer society for all citizens of Croatia pretty evident. Presumption of innocence is still a basic legal standard that the party constantly insists on, while ensuring that all proceedings are conducted in compliance with the highest principles of justice and responsibility – he proclaims without beating around the bush.
And finally, there is his passion for sports, especially basketball. He firmly believes in the “Mens sana in corpore sano” motto.
– Sports and physical activity are not only important for physical health, but also for mental well-being. Regular physical activity helps us stay focused and ready, steady, go to face challenges. I believe that taking care of your body is just as important as taking care of your mind, and that both are inextricably connected. My path of life has been largely shaped by the soles of my basketball shoes since I have played for many years. I fell in love with this sport as a twelve-year-old boy and actively competed until I reached 42.
The years he spent on the basketball court taught Katičić numerous lessons that shaped his approach to life.
– When playing sports, we truly learn a lot and build ourselves up in many aspects. If anything, we learn how to lose, as well as how to get up after defeat. Sometimes we also feel the pang of injustice, but we need to be able to overcome all that and think about the future and the challenges ahead – he explains with a smile on his face.
– Sport is one of the key parts of my life, and whenever I talk about it, I cannot help but mention my great love, which is Dinamo. I reckon it is enough to say that I have been a proud member of “the big bad blue” since 1969!
He is convinced that sportsmanship can serve as inspiration for creating a better and more cohesive society where everyone works together for a higher goal. A well-thought-out strategy, respect for opponents, and willingness to play fair are the key elements that he carried over from the sports to the political arena.
– Sports and politics have a lot in common. They both require dedication, teamwork, and the ability to deal with unpredictable situations. These very values have helped me across all aspects of my life, including my political engagement – Krunoslav Katičić concludes.
