Croatian MEP Romana Jerković Kraljić announced that she is leaving the Social Democratic Party, in which she had spent almost 30 years. She made the decision following a controversy over a trip taken by her family and friends, and the initiation of a disciplinary procedure against her.
Jerković Kraljić found herself in the spotlight after Politico reported that she had participated in a four-day trip to Strasbourg with friends and family, funded by S&D funds. According to Politico, the trip took place in December 2024, with costs potentially exceeding €12,000. Jerković Kraljić rejected this figure, stating that the actual cost was €8,218.45, and noted that she had personally paid for the expenses of her family members. She acknowledged that in the documentation, the roles of certain participants had been listed incorrectly, a mistake she described as unintentional and administrative.
Jerković Kraljić stated that she had not invited unauthorised individuals, but rather citizens she had the right to invite, and that all rules had been followed, including transparent reporting to the relevant authorities. She stated that she was not prepared to accept that her professional integrity was being judged based on insinuations, constructions, and fabrications, and that it was unacceptable for facts and evidence presented to be ignored. She further stated that it was undemocratic to close off channels of communication for a party member and to prevent them from addressing fellow members.
The executive board of the SDP initiated a disciplinary procedure against Romana Jerković on 6 October, with the aim of excluding her from the party. At the time, she stated that she had submitted a detailed response to the party leadership and that she expected a decision based on facts, rather than incomplete media claims. Two days later, she decided to leave the party.
The statement was given by the SDP's general secretary, Josip Zubčić, following the meeting of the executive board, the main topic of which was the MEP. Zubić stated that the SDP was pleased that Jerković had realised her mistake. He stated that the SDP was pleased that Jerković had understood that in the SDP, the rules apply outside the administrative norms prescribed by the Parliament's procedures, and that such actions were not supported within the party.
Zubić stated that a new standard had to be set for the standards applicable in Croatian politics, and that the standards were not only at the level of administrative and criminal liability, but also at the level of political and moral responsibility. Those who crossed the line would not be welcome in the SDH, he said. He also noted that in some cases, the proceedings were waiting to be completed, mentioning that Barbara Antolić Vupor had been detained in the course of the proceedings, while for some members, the assessment was that the proceedings were to be completed. In the case of Romana Jerković, Zubić said that the issue was one of nepotism, and that the indictment would not be issued.
Zubić stated that he would invite Romana Jerković to return the mandate to the party, but at the same time stated that the mandate in the EP was not party property. Whether Jerković would remain in the group would be their decision, he said. He added that Jerković would not remain in the SDH, and that they had lost one mandate. Romana Jerković stated that she would continue to work in the European Parliament, and that she would continue to serve as a representative in the European Parliament.
