Plenković 'emotionally in love' with the Šimonović family: What positions has he appointed the father, mother and daughter to?
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has appointed multiple members of the influential Šimonović family to prominent positions over the years.
The article discusses how Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has repeatedly appointed members of the Šimonović family to significant governmental roles, suggesting a close relationship between the Prime Minister and the family. The piece mentions Dubravka Šimonović, who has been nominated for GREVIO, and her family's long-standing prominence within Croatian diplomacy.
Dubravka Šimonović is known for her distinguished career, including her former role at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and her leadership position in CEDAW, reflecting her contributions to women's rights and gender equality. Additionally, the article highlights her connections through marriage to Ivan Šimonović, a former UN assistant secretary-general for human rights, and their daughter Tena Šimonović Einwalter, who serves as an ombudswoman since 2021. This concentration of power within the Šimonović family raises questions about patronage and nepotism in Croatian politics.
The conclusion drawn by the article centers around the perception of Plenković's favoritism towards the Šimonović family, as he has emphasized his personal admiration for them in past statements. The implications of this favoritism could have broader consequences for public trust in government, especially concerning issues of political integrity and the equitable distribution of positions within the government to qualified individuals, rather than those connected to political figures personally.