The newly-appointed president of the Supreme Court, Radovan Dobronic, on Friday issued a press release saying that he expects good cooperation with judges and the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration in work on enhancing legal order and public trust in the judiciary.

Dobronic thanked President Zoran Milanovic, who recommended him for the position, and the Sabor for appointing him to the highest judicial position.

“I also thank the Croatian public who supported me and showed their trust in me, whether directly or through the media,” he said.

“I expect good and constructive cooperation with Supreme Court judges and those at first and second-instance courts, but also with the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration, in the joint task of enhancing legal order and public trust in the judiciary.”

120 lawmakers voted in favour of Dobronic, 3 voted against

A total of 120 lawmakers voted for Dobronic’s appointment while three voted against. He will be sworn in on Monday, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic announced.

Dobronic’s election ends a months-long crisis regarding the appointment of the highest judicial official, a post that has been vacant since July, when Judge Djuro Sessa’s term expired.

The Supreme Court president also chairs the State Election Commission (DIP).

Judge who became known for the ‘Swiss francs’ case

Dobronic was born in the northern Croatian town of Cakovec, while his family hails from the Adriatic island of Hvar.

He graduated from Zagreb’s School of Law, after which he worked at Zagrebacka Banka beforre moving on to the State Commodity Stockpiles Directorate, where he served as the head of the legal, personnel, and general operations department.

In 1996 he continued his career as a judge of the Commercial Court in Zagreb. In 1998 he obtained his master’s degree in commercial law.

Judge Dobronic is known in public for presiding over the ‘Swiss Franc’ case and ruling in favour of numerous small bank clients, holders of loans pegged to the Swiss franc.