Hrvatska demokratska zajednica (HDZ / Croatian Democratic Union)
EU RANK: 159 (Tier 4: Low Performance)
Hrvatska demokratska zajednica (HDZ) is Croatia’s dominant centre‑right party, founded by Franjo Tuđman and central to the country’s independence, EU and NATO accession. It has led most governments since the 1990s and retains deep organisational structures at national, county and municipal levels, making it the key actor in state administration, public companies and many local authorities.
Disinformation and alternative media
HDZ uses mainstream television, major portals, party media and extensive social‑media operations; it does not rely on fringe conspiratorial platforms to the same extent as radical right parties. Its official messaging is pro‑EU and pro‑NATO, yet some HDZ‑aligned commentators and local media have been criticised for smear campaigns, biased coverage and selectively amplifying nationalist narratives, especially during elections and corruption scandals.
Croatian disinformation mapping identifies far‑right and pro‑Kremlin ecosystems as primary sources of organised falsehoods rather than HDZ, but the party benefits from a media environment partly shaped by networks close to it. Disinformation/alternative‑media risk is medium.
Foreign influence and external alignments
HDZ is firmly pro‑EU and pro‑NATO, a member of the European People’s Party, and has supported sanctions against Russia and cooperation with Western partners. At the same time, Croatia’s energy and economic links create structural exposure to external influence, and HDZ’s control of state policy means its decisions are decisive for mitigating or amplifying that vulnerability.
There is limited public evidence of HDZ as a conduit for Russian information operations, but concerns exist over opaque dealings in sectors such as energy and defence under various HDZ‑led governments. DMI foreign‑influence risk is medium.
Media capture, advertising and public service media
Research on Croatia points to long‑term politicisation of media and public companies, with HDZ as a central architect due to its repeated periods in power. The party’s control over ministries, state‑owned enterprises and local authorities gives it leverage over advertising budgets, licences and appointments, enabling favourable treatment of certain outlets and pressure on critical ones.
Public‑service broadcaster HRT has faced accusations of political appointments, editorial interference and SLAPP‑style lawsuits involving individuals close to HDZ in recent years. HDZ’s media‑capture DMI risk is high.
Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity
HDZ has been at the centre of major corruption and party‑financing scandals, including cases where the party itself was convicted for illegal funding and senior officials received prison sentences. Subsequent leaderships have stressed anti‑corruption reforms and EU alignment, but continued investigations, EU concerns and domestic watchdog reports indicate persistent systemic vulnerabilities.
The party’s dense networks in public administration and companies create ongoing risks of patronage, clientelism and politicised prosecution services. DMI corruption and institutional‑integrity risk for HDZ is high.
Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media
Under HDZ‑led governments, Croatia has seen periods of pressure on independent journalists, including lawsuits, public smear campaigns and politicised management changes at HRT. While formal censorship is absent, the combination of economic leverage, political appointments and legal threats contributes to self‑censorship and a cautious media climate.
HDZ leaders often frame critical reporting as politically motivated, which can encourage online harassment from supporters and weaken public trust in watchdog journalism. DMI press‑freedom and harassment risk is medium–high.