Jadranka Kosor

Biography

Jadranka Kosor was born on July 1, 1953, in Pakrac, Croatia. She studied law at the University of Zagreb, which set the stage for her future in journalism and politics. After graduating, Kosor began her career as a journalist, making a name for herself during a turbulent time in Croatia's history.

During the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s, Kosor hosted a radio show that tackled issues affecting refugees and disabled war veterans, showing her early dedication to social causes and public service. Her work during this crucial time helped build her public reputation and credibility. In 1989, she joined the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the centre-right party that became central to her political career.

Kosor quickly rose within the HDZ. By 1995, she was elected party vice-president and secured her first seat in parliament. Her political skill and loyalty to the party became clear when she backed Ivo Sanader's successful bid for party leadership after the death of longtime HDZ leader and Croatian president Franjo Tuđman in 2000. This alliance was key for her career growth.

When the HDZ won the 2003 parliamentary election, Kosor was appointed Minister of Family, Veterans' Affairs, and Inter-generational Solidarity in Sanader's cabinet, later becoming deputy prime minister in his second cabinet. Her ministerial role matched her earlier work for veterans and families affected by the war. In 2005, she ran as the HDZ candidate in the presidential election but lost to the incumbent president Stjepan Mesić in the second round.

The highlight of Kosor's career came in July 2009 when Prime Minister Ivo Sanader unexpectedly resigned. Kosor managed to secure a parliamentary majority and became the new prime minister, also taking on the role of party leader. This made her the first and only woman to serve as Prime Minister of Croatia since the country's independence. During her tenure, she faced major economic challenges, and although she avoided a complete budget collapse through budget revisions, she was criticized for not implementing necessary structural reforms. The HDZ suffered a major loss in the 2011 general election to the centre-left Kukuriku coalition, and Kosor handed over power to new prime minister Zoran Milanović in December 2011.