Croatian agriculture minister resigns over 'moral reasons'

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) – Croatian Agriculture Minister Josip Dabro resigned on Saturday, citing moral reasons and personal challenges as the main reasons behind his decision.

“I hereby submit my irrevocable resignation from the post of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries for moral reasons,” Dabro wrote in a statement on Facebook.

He acknowledged that his tenure focused on promoting transparency and addressing irregularities but mentioned facing intense pressure and threats that necessitated police protection.

Dabro emphasized his desire not to be a burden on the government or his party: “As a responsible man and public official, I believe that my personal situation must not distract attention from the key priorities of the Government and the department, nor slow down further reforms that are necessary.”

Croatian media linked Dabro’s resignation to a video from several years ago that showed him firing a weapon from a moving vehicle. Dabro had previously apologized for the incident, calling it a “thoughtless moment.”

This resignation marks the second high-profile departure in Croatia’s government in recent months. In November 2024, Health Minister Vili Beros resigned amid allegations of abuse of office.