The ultra-conservative party Hrast will end its support for the ruling centre-right coalition over the announced ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the party's only MP, Hrvoje Zekanović, said on Tuesday.

“The Prime Minister (Andrej Plenković) did not ask us to leave the coalition, (because) to him every hand counts. This is my decision, we want to remain true to ourselves. In politics and in life there are red lines that cannot be crossed,” Zekanović told N1.

Zekanović’s party is a junior member of the ruling coalition led by the centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), which also includes the centre-left Croatian People’s Party (HNS) and a host of independents, securing it a thin margin in the 151-seat parliament.

“HDZ has moved its position towards the left – there is definitely gender ideology in the Istanbul Convention,” added Zekanović, and said members of his party would leave all government posts. Hrast currently has two politically appointed officials – Ladislav Ilčić, advisor to the Culture Minister, and Hrvoje Šlezak, the Deputy Education Minister.

Last month, HDZ officials voted for their party to support ratifying the Istanbul Convention in spite of vocal opposition from some of its senior members as well as various conservative groups, on account of the perceived introduction of “gender ideology” which they say is against Christian values.

Although the party’s policy programme released prior to the November 2016 parliamentary election contained a promise to “completely fulfil obligations required by the Istanbul Convention” on page 93, conservative groups insist that ratifying the convention would be against the party’s values.

Zekanović was asked if he had any information on how many HDZ members of parliament might vote against their own party’s decision once the ratification is put to vote later this month. The main opposition party, the Social Democrats (SDP) also said they would support the ratification.

“It’s hard for me to tell, a few, maybe 10 or 18, it doesn’t matter, those who vote in favour of the convention will serve as a fig leaf for HDZ. The key issue is whether I can continue supporting a government that turned so radically towards the left, and also if they find it strange that HDZ and SDP have the same stance on this,” Zekanović said.