Tihomir Orešković

Tihomir Orešković, born in Zagreb in nineteen sixty-six, is a notable Croatian-Canadian businessman and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Croatia from January to October two thousand sixteen. His tenure was marked by significant fiscal reforms aimed at reducing public expenditures and addressing the national debt, although it was also characterized by political tensions within the ruling coalition.

Emigrating to Canada at a young age, Orešković spent the majority of his life there, where he pursued his education at McMaster University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry in nineteen eighty-nine, followed by a Master of Business Administration in finance and information systems in nineteen ninety-one. Before entering politics, he held prominent positions in the pharmaceutical industry, including CEO and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Pliva, and Chief Financial Officer for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' global generics division.

Orešković's political journey began after the parliamentary elections on eight November two thousand fifteen, which resulted in a fragmented parliament. Following seventy-six days of negotiations, he was appointed as a technocratic non-partisan prime minister by the Croatian Democratic Union and the coalition Bridge of Independent Lists on twenty-three December two thousand fifteen. He officially took office on twenty-two January two thousand sixteen, leading a government composed of two deputy prime ministers and twenty ministers.

Despite his initial support from the HDZ, Orešković often diverged from their recommendations, leading to a strained relationship that culminated in a no-confidence vote on sixteen June two thousand sixteen. With a majority of one hundred twenty-five MPs voting in favor, his government was dismissed, prompting early elections. Although he contemplated running for re-election, Orešković ultimately chose to return to the private sector, and on nineteen October two thousand sixteen, he was succeeded by Andrej Plenković.