Vlado Gotovac - Political Career

Political Career

Gotovac entered the Sabor in 1992 where his passion and eloquence made him into one of the most popular and charismatic Croatian politicians. His harsh criticism of Franjo Tuđman and his authoritarian policies made him into one of the rallying figure of Croatian opposition.

In mid-1990s Gotovac replaced Dražen Budiša at the leadership of Croatian Social Liberal Party ("HSLS"). His tenure was brief but it also revealed his lack of political talent. During the Zagreb Crisis he allowed himself to be manipulated into embarrassing negotiations with the Croatian Democratic Union, which harmed the reputation of party and its unity.

In 1996 he was chosen as president of the HSLS, where he told his audience: “Do not fear, this is our country and we have the right to rule it as we like!” In that same year he ran as a presidential candidate, but was assaulted during the campaign. He did not win the presidency instead it was claimed by Franjo Tuđman, a fellow former dissident. But Tuđman’s victory was disputed by Gotovac, who accused him of manipulating the results. As president, Tuđman did not undertake the sort of reforms hoped for by Gotovac and others, rather he became autocratic, suppressing the media if it dared to criticize him or his system, as well as limiting the civil and political rights of Croatian citizens. The following year Gotovac split from the HSLS to form the Liberal Party.

Vlado Gotovac participated in a region wide movement of writers becoming politicians, for this occurrence took place in Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, with Václav Havel being one of the most famous writers turned statesman.

Gotovac tried running as a candidate of Croatian centrist and liberal opposition on 1997 presidential election. During the campaign rally in Pula he was assaulted and injured by a Croatian Army officer, later revealed to be member of elite security unit guarding Franjo Tuđman. The incident, however, didn't have much impact on the campaign nor Gotovac showed any ability to use it to his political advantage. While his rhetoric attracted urban and more educated voters, he lacked Tuđman's charisma and populist skills of SDP candidate Zdravko Tomac. He finished third in the race.

This led to the formal split in HSLS. Dražen Budiša, advocating more populist rhetoric and future coalition with HDZ, regained the party leadership. Gotovac, who advocated HSLS remaining true to liberal principles, left HSLS and formed new Liberal Party. This party failed to attract majority of HSLS membership and its voters.

Ironically, Budiša, instead of aligning with HDZ, made a coalition with SDP instead in 1998. LS was left out of it and LS entered Sabor in 2000 only by joining the bloc of centrist parties led by Croatian Peasant Party.

On December 7, 2000 Gotovac died in Rome, aged 70, from complications caused by hepatitis, too weak to receive a liver transplant.