The six-member parliamentary bench of the Croatian Sovereignists (HS) on Friday appointed a new whip, Marijan Pavlicek, who replaced Hrvoje Zekanovic at the helm of the bench after Zekanovic's appeal for vaccination against coronavirus.

The HS party stated on Friday that Zekanovic had presented his personal opinion about immunisation against Covid-19 during his speech on Thursday and that he had not consulted the party’s leadership about that.

During the parliamentary discussion on a proposal to amend the Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases Act, Zekanovic said that he was against Covid passes, but that it should be made clear that the existing vaccines saved lives.

“All of you who are in favour of or against Covid passes should clearly say from this rostrum that the vaccine saves lives. That must not be left to a footnote, because people are ending up on ventilators because of your views,” the parliamentarian said.

During the discussion, Zekanovic revealed that he was the only one of the 24 right-wing MPs to have been vaccinated, noting that three of the six Sovereignists’ MPs currently have Covid-19 and one of them is in hospital.

“Regardless of my trying to convince my colleague to get vaccinated, he did not do so, like thousands of others. Shame on everyone who denies this disease,” Zekanovic said, stressing that the vaccine is a risk, but that the disease itself is a greater risk.

His speech prompted the HS presidency to hold an extraordinary meeting at which it was decided that Zekanovic would be replaced by Pavlicek at the helm of the HS parliamentary club.

The HS leadership says that Zekanovic’s speech reflected his personal opinions on the matter which should not be attached to the party.

Zekanovic says will stick to his political, ideological beliefs and commonsensical attitudes

MP Zekanovic said today that he respected the rule of law and therefore he would accept the party’s decision, however, he would not change his mind.

I am fighting against Covid certificates, however, every responsible politician in Croatia should be clearly telling the people to get vaccinated as vaccination is one of the most efficient instruments to combat coronavirus, Zekanovic told state agency Hina.

He went on to say that he would persist in his political, ideological and commonsensical attitudes.