Andrej Plenković

Andrej Plenković has served as prime minister of Croatia since 19 October 2016, following the Croatian Democratic Union’s (HDZ) victory in the parliamentary elections of September 2016. Elected leader of the centre-right HDZ, affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP), in July 2016, he went on to lead the party to further successes in the parliamentary elections of July 2020 and April 2024. With three consecutive terms in office, Plenković has become the longest-serving prime minister in Croatia’s history since the country gained independence.
 
His leadership has been characterised by significant achievements, notably the revitalisation and modernisation of the Croatian economy. This progress has been underpinned by an unprecedented surge in investment, strong employment growth, record-low unemployment, and marked improvements in living standards, wages, and pensions. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, two major earthquakes, and the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, Plenković’s government successfully delivered two key strategic objectives: Croatia’s accession to the Eurozone and the Schengen Area in 2023. In 2024, following a third consecutive parliamentary victory, he also led HDZ in the European elections, where the party secured six of Croatia’s twelve seats—the best result for any EPP member party.
 
Alongside these achievements, Plenković has prioritised Croatia’s membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with accession targeted for 2026. For his third term, he has outlined four key national priorities: accelerating the green transition, advancing digital transformation, promoting demographic renewal, and investing in education. These strategic goals aim to position Croatia as a competitive economy and a prosperous society.
 
Born in Zagreb in 1970, Andrej Plenković is married with three children. He speaks fluent English, French, and Italian, and has a good command of German.