Jadranka Kosor

Jadranka Kosor, born on July first, nineteen fifty-three, is a prominent Croatian politician, journalist, poet, and writer. She made history as the first and only woman to serve as Prime Minister of Croatia from two thousand nine to two thousand eleven, stepping into the role after the unexpected resignation of her predecessor, Ivo Sanader.

Her career began in journalism after graduating from the Zagreb Faculty of Law, where she hosted a radio show addressing the challenges faced by refugees and disabled war veterans during the Croatian War of Independence. Kosor joined the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in nineteen eighty-nine, quickly ascending the party ranks. By nineteen ninety-five, she was elected as the party's vice-president and made her first appearance in Parliament.

Following the death of HDZ leader Franjo Tuđman, Kosor supported Ivo Sanader's leadership bid in two thousand. She served as Minister of Family, Veterans' Affairs, and Inter-generational Solidarity in both of Sanader's cabinets, also holding the position of deputy prime minister. Although she lost the presidential election in two thousand five, Kosor successfully formed a parliamentary majority after Sanader's resignation, becoming Prime Minister in July two thousand nine.

During her tenure, Kosor faced significant challenges, including the economic crisis, yet she implemented budget revisions and new taxes to stabilize the country's finances. Her strong stance against political corruption led to numerous arrests, including high-profile members of her own party, which ultimately tarnished the HDZ's reputation. In foreign affairs, she played a crucial role in resolving a long-standing border dispute with Slovenia and successfully concluded Croatia's accession negotiations to the European Union, culminating in the signing of the EU Treaty of Accession in December two thousand eleven.

After losing the two thousand eleven general election, Kosor attempted to reclaim her position as party leader but was defeated. Following her criticism of the new leadership, she was expelled from HDZ. In recognition of her contributions to Croatia's international standing, she was awarded the Grand Order of Queen Jelena in two thousand twenty-one by President Zoran Milanović.