I would not want generals to determine political options, Parliament Speaker Josip Leko said on Monday, reflecting on recent criticisms against the incumbent government issued by retired generals.
"In a democratic society and country everyone has the right to their opinion and criticism and there is no problem in that regard. The problem arises when an association of generals voices its opinion and in that situation connotations are somewhat different. I would not like generals to determine political options", Leko told Croatian Radio.
Asked for his opinion on the generals' idea that they defended the country and have the right to voice their opinion, Leko said that one set of rules apply when defending your country but in democracy and democratic countries other rules apply.
I'm afraid that the position the generals have taken sounds bad and undemocratic, he said.
Asked if he believed that a political party stood behind the generals, Leko said that he was not burdened with ideas of coups and that this was not necessary in democratic systems where anyone could say what they wished.
