According to estimates from the press, about 800 demonstrators demanded that Jadranka Kosor step down as prime minister and president of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union party (HDZ).

The demonstrators rallied in Ban Jelacic Square around 6 pm and headed for the government building.

Ivan Pernar, who initiated the protest on Facebook, said the constitution guaranteed him the right to peacefully protest everywhere. He told Kosor to "step down in peace", as in that case the "punishment will be lesser", and that she would "follow in the footsteps of her predecessor Ivo Sanader." He also said the "police van and batons tyranny" must stop.

At one point, the demonstrators clashed with the police, throwing bottles, rocks and fireworks as well as tear gas at the officers.

Pernar was apprehended after he crossed a protection barrier, as were four other people during the protest.

The demonstrators carried banners and shouted "You are scared of the people", "Bribery and corruption - the Croatian police", "Better to die than be a slave", "Jadranka, go away" and "You betrayed Purda", a reference to Croatian war veteran Tihomir Purda, who is in custody in Bosnia awaiting a State Court ruling on Serbia's extradition plea over war crimes charges.

The protest ended around 7.30 pm.

Protest rallies in St. Mark's Square are banned since 2005.

Anti-government protests were also held in the southern Adriatic city of Split, in the northern Adriatic city of Pula, where about 500 people rallied, in the northern Adriatic city of Rijeka, drawing about 100 people, and in the eastern city of Slavonski Brod, where about 200 people gathered.

No incidents were reported at these rallies and all were organised on Facebook.