In Subotica, in Vojvodina, a new movement has been founded under the name Croatian National Visionary (HNV). At its head is Jasna Vojnic, an MP of HDZ in Croatia. The goal - representation of Croats in Serbia. But not everyone who presents themselves as a Croat voice is happy about it.

Vojnic explained that the movement was triggered by the upcoming elections for the Croatian National Council, which are scheduled for late 2026. "The first thing that pushes us is the elections," she said. "Political action is needed for our development."

Translated - the existing Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina (DSHV), the party that has represented Croats in Serbia for decades, is breaking up from the inside. Part of the leadership is openly at odds with the leader Tomislav Zigmanovic. Together with Croatian diplomatic representatives in Serbia, representatives of the Catholic Church, and Croatian businesspeople, they have founded HNV - a centre-right civic movement with "Christian-democratic values".

A scene that is familiar across the Balkans - party division inside the same ethnic bloc, with clear political and also private motives. Part of the Croats in Serbia will now have two competitors in the elections for their council, instead of one strong joint platform. In practice that means a smaller voice and more division.

For Macedonia, this is a textbook case we are watching at home as well. Divided political blocs inside the same community - the Albanians in Macedonia know the maths. When one vote splits, it does not multiply - it shrinks. The question is whether Croats in Serbia have done that calculation, or whether they are only following the logic of their own leaders.

Something is being founded in Subotica. Whether it will be a representative or a competitor - that is decided by voters, not by the owners of party stamps.