Spiral of violence in Croatia

Croatia has been hit by a wave of assassinations. The latest victim was the publisher of Nacional magazine Ivo Pukanić. In an opinion piece for the Slovenian daily, Delo Davor Gjenero, an independent Croatian political expert, expresses concern that the murders could have a negative impact on Croatia's bid for EU membership. "If Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sander manages to convince the people that he and his new justice minister can guarantee security he will emerge victorious from this crisis. Croatia will have the opportunity to complete its talks with the EU within the agreed time limit. ... But if fear prevails, or in other words if the image that the media are now showing of Croatia continues to dominate, the desire for an ordered state and its integration into the EU will remain an impossible dream. ... To curtail Croatia's European ambitions would undoubtedly result in defeat for the advocates of a 'normalisation' of the Croatian state and in a victory for those who have triggered this spiral of violence to protect their own interests."

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