Igor Peternel, a Croatian MP, opposes the ban on communist symbols, expressing that he wants young people to feel disgusted by them rather than fear legal repercussions for displaying them.
In the Croatian Parliament, MP Igor Peternel from the DOMiNO party voiced his opposition to a proposed ban on communist symbols, particularly the five-pointed star. He emphasized a societal transformation where young individuals should be motivated by personal feelings of disgust towards such symbols, instead of fearing legal repercussions for their use. Peternel's stance highlights the contentious nature of historical symbolism in Croatia, a country still grappling with its communist past.
His comments came in response to a strong ultimatum from Josip Dabro of the Domovinski pokret party, who threatened to leave Parliament if a law banning symbols of all totalitarian regimes was passed. Dabro's remarks reflected a deep-seated connection to the historical events associated with these symbols, portraying the five-pointed star as emblematic of suffering and destruction, particularly in reference to the Croatian War of Independence.
The debate illustrates a significant division within Croatian politics regarding how to address the legacy of communism and other totalitarian regimes. The positions reflected by both Peternel and Dabro raise questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the desire to acknowledge and learn from history, revealing the complexities of national identity in a post-communist society.
