Croatian constitutional order and political system
This domain tests the Constitution of 22 December 1990 (the "Christmas Constitution") and the institutions it creates. Questions usually ask who holds a power, for how long, and to whom that holder is accountable.
Core rules
- Croatia is a unitary, indivisible, democratic and social state in which sovereignty belongs to the people. The highest constitutional values include freedom, equal rights, national equality, peace, social justice, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
- The Sabor is unicameral: 151 members elected for four years. It adopts laws and the budget and can pass a vote of no confidence in the Government.
- The President is directly elected for five years and may serve a maximum of two terms. The President is commander-in-chief and represents the state abroad.
- The Government, led by the Prime Minister, is responsible to the Sabor. The Constitutional Court has 13 judges elected for eight years; the Supreme Court is the highest court.
- Local self-government consists of 20 counties plus the City of Zagreb, 127 towns and 428 municipalities.
Worked example
Question: "Can the President dismiss the Prime Minister?" Reasoning: the President does not head the executive. The Government is accountable to the Sabor, which can remove it by a no-confidence vote. The President may dissolve the Sabor only in the constitutionally defined situation, after consulting the Prime Minister, and the dissolution requires the Prime Minister's countersignature. The answer is no.
Traps
Do not confuse the four-year Sabor term with the five-year presidential term. Croatia is not bicameral, and the Constitutional Court is not a criminal appeal court. "21 counties" is imprecise: there are 20 counties and the City of Zagreb as a separate unit with county status.