We Can!: The Rise of Croatia's Green-Left Movement
The political landscape of Croatia has seen a significant shift with the emergence of We Can! (Možemo!), a party born from a grassroots initiative of activists and left-wing politicians. What began as a small committee of 26 individuals—primarily from the Zagreb is OURS! party and various independent movements—has evolved into a potent political force advocating for systemic change in education, health, and environmental sustainability.
Founding and Ideological Core
Officially established on February 10, 2019, the party was launched just ahead of the European Parliament elections. From its inception, the party focused on a progressive agenda centered on social and gender equality, support for migrants, renewable energy sources, sustainable agriculture, and the improvement of public health and education policies.
Structurally, the party opted for a non-hierarchical approach, eschewing the role of an official president. Instead, the party is led by two coordinators—Sandra Benčić and Teodor Celakoski—who serve on the Party Board alongside five other members. The founding initiative included several key figures who remain active today, such as Tomislav Tomašević, Danijela Dolenec, Damir Bakić, Iskra Mandarić, Đuro Capor, Urša Raukar, Vilim Matula, Dario Juričan, Mima Simić, and Ivo Špigel.
The Path to Parliamentary Influence
2019 European Parliament Elections
On March 28, 2019, We Can! formed a coalition with New Left and Sustainable Development of Croatia. This Green-Left alliance aligned itself with the Green New Deal advocated by the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 (DiEM25), earning the support of Yanis Varoufakis. In the subsequent election, the coalition secured 19,313 votes, representing 1.79% of the popular vote.
2020 National Parliamentary Elections
The party's momentum grew leading into the 2020 parliamentary elections. The coalition expanded its appeal by welcoming Bojan Glavašević, a former SDP member and independent parliamentarian, as its first independent candidate. The movement also gained cultural visibility through Mile Kekin, frontman of the punk-rock band Hladno pivo, and his wife, psychiatrist Ivana Kekin; Kekin even authored a song for the party's campaign. The party also received an endorsement from actress Jane Fonda.
These efforts resulted in a dramatic rise in popularity, particularly in Zagreb. The coalition won approximately 7% of the national vote, securing seven seats in parliament. These seats were held by Tomislav Tomašević, Sandra Benčić, Damir Bakić, Vilim Matula, Rada Borić (NL), Katarina Peović (RF), and Bojan Glavašević (Ind.). In Dubrovnik, cooperation with the local platform Srđ je grad helped the coalition achieve 9% of the popular vote.
Local Governance and Electoral Success
Dominance in Zagreb
The party achieved a landmark victory in the 2021 Zagreb local elections, capturing 40% of the vote and 23 seats in the City Assembly. Candidate Tomislav Tomašević won the mayoralty in the second round, defeating Miroslav Škoro with 64% of the vote against 34%.
This success continued into the 2025 Zagreb local elections. Running in partnership with the SDP, the platform secured 43.66% of the popular vote and 25 seats in the City Assembly. Incumbent mayor Tomislav Tomašević was re-elected, defeating Marija Selak Raspudić in the runoff with 57.56% of the vote.
Expansion to Pazin
The party's influence extended beyond the capital in the 2025 local elections. In the City of Pazin, the Možemo!-SDP alliance saw incumbent mayor Suzana Jašić win the runoff election with 67.70%, while the coalition secured 43.93% of the seats in the Pazin City Assembly.
Key Facts
- Founded: February 10, 2019.
- Leadership Structure: No president; led by two coordinators and a Party Board.
- Core Priorities: Renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, gender equality, and public health/education.
- Zagreb Mayor: Tomislav Tomašević (elected 2021, re-elected 2025).
- Parliamentary Entry: Won 7 seats in the 2020 elections with roughly 7% of the vote.
| Election | Year | Key Result | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Parliament | 2019 | 1.79% of vote | 19,313 total votes |
| National Parliament | 2020 | ~7% of vote | 7 seats won |
| Zagreb Local | 2021 | 40% of vote | Mayor Tomislav Tomašević elected |
| Zagreb Local | 2025 | 43.66% of vote | Mayor Tomislav Tomašević re-elected |
| Pazin Local | 2025 | 67.70% (Runoff) | Mayor Suzana Jašić elected |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the We Can! party?
The party does not have a president. Instead, it is led by two coordinators, Sandra Benčić and Teodor Celakoski, who work alongside a Party Board consisting of five additional members.
What are the primary goals of the party?
The party focuses on improving education and health policies, promoting social and gender equality, supporting migrants, and advocating for renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
How did the party perform in the 2020 parliamentary elections?
The coalition won approximately 7% of the popular vote, which translated into seven seats in the Croatian parliament.
Who is the current mayor of Zagreb?
Tomislav Tomašević is the mayor of Zagreb, having first won the election in 2021 and subsequently winning re-election in 2025.
Which other parties have they collaborated with?
We Can! has formed coalitions with New Left, Sustainable Development of Croatia, and the SDP (Social Democratic Party of Croatia).