Référendum : émeute à Zagreb – 21 janvier 2012

Police Clash With Anti-EU Protesters in Croatia

VOA News

January 21, 2012

Police in Croatia’s capital clashed with nationalist protesters Saturday, on the eve of a crucial vote on the country’s membership in the European Union.

About 1,000 protesters, many of them independence war veterans, gathered in Zagreb’s central square, carrying banners saying « No to EU » or « I love Croatia, » and chanting anti-EU slogans. Using loudspeakers, activists demanded postponement of the vote, arguing that political leaders had failed to explain to citizens all that the EU entry entails.

Police arrested several protesters who tried to take down an EU flag from a pole, while others chanted « Treason! Treason! » News reports say a few people were injured during the clashes.

On Sunday, Croatian voters will say « yes » or « no » to the question: « Do you support the membership of the Republic of Croatia in the European Union? » Between 50 and 60 percent of the voters are expected to vote yes.

Croatia has gone through an arduous six-year negotiating process with the EU before signing an accession treaty last year. It is set to join the 27-nation bloc in July 2013.

But in recent years, a growing number of Croatian citizens have grown disillusioned with the union and many believe there is nothing to be gained by joining, while they say some hard-earned independence may be lost. Read more…