About 300 discontented citizens gathered in Cvjetni Trg square in central Zagreb on Thursday evening, calling on the government to step down and set a date for parliamentary elections.
The crowd was addressed by one of the protest leaders, Ivan Pernar, who criticised the government for borrowing money. He said that high tax and interest rates and the restrictive monetary policy would lead to economic ruin and massive unemployment.
The protesters formed a column and began their usual march through the city centre, heading first towards St Mark's Square, the seat of the government and parliament, where public assembly is banned by law.
Chanting "Let's all go to the streets" and "HDZ (ruling party) thieves", the demonstrators were joined by other disgruntled citizens. According to estimates by reporters, up to 1,000 people took part at the peak of the demonstration, the lowest number so far, while the police estimated the number of protesters at 800.
Demonstrators were handing out leaflets saying they were not members of any political party or association but shared the view that "the incompetent and corrupt HDZ" should resign from power.
During their march, the protesters stopped outside the Croatian National Bank, shouting "freedom", then proceeded to the HDZ headquarters and on to the head offices of its junior coalition partner, the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS), chanting "resignation". According to eyewitnesses, a few eggs were hurled at the HDZ building.
The protesters also stopped outside the Japanese Embassy and observed a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of an earthquake and a resulting tsunami that devastated Japan last week. Some were carrying banners with the Japanese flag symbol saying "Thank you Japan for your donations - We pray for you".
During the march the police detained protest organiser Ivan Pernar for violating a court order barring him from the city centre. No other incidents were reported.
The protest began at 6 pm and ended at 7.45 pm in the main square, Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica. Like all the ones held in the past few weeks, it was organised through the online social network Facebook. "A large peaceful protest" was announced for Saturday evening in the main square.
