Izvorni znanstveni članak
Alexander Karađorđević and the political activities of Matko Laginja
Hrvoje Matković
Sažetak
King Alexander played an important role in the political life od the Yugoslavian state, exceeding his authority by intervening in the selection of government officials, enabling members to retain positions after they had lost the support of the National Assembly, and removing those who had majority support. His influence in routine politics brought him into conflict with individual politicians who represented different political viewpoints, an example being Alexander's attitude towards Matko Laginja. This relationship is the subject of the author's discussion.
Laginja was a member of the middle-class political party, known as the Croatian Unity. In keeping with the party's position, Laginja supported the idea of a Yugoslavian state based on equal rights and a respect for the historical rights of individual nationalities. When the so-called Parliamentary Unity was in power in 1920, the Croatian Unity participated in the government with the result that Laginja became governor of Croatia and Slavonia despite opposition from the regent Alexander. In the first days of his rule, Laginja released Stjepan Radić from prison, and as a result was harshly reprimanded by Alexander in a special audience. Some time later Radić was again imprisoned without the knowledge of either Laginja or the leadership of the Croatian Unity; this was done by Franko Potočnjak, who as vice-governor was held in special esteem by the regent. For this reason, and because of the political temper in Croatia at the time, Laginja was opposed to Alexander's visit to Zagreb. But the regent disregarded him and came to Zagreb anyway.
The elections for the assembly to create a Constitution showed that a large majority of the Croatian voters supported Stjepan Radić and his federalist program. The governing circles in Belgrade were disturbed when Radić called a meeting of his party after the elections, and as a result Laginja was called to Belgrade for a special session where he received directives on how to respond to Radić's assembly. During the assembly Radić announced his support for a neutral peasant republic and called his the Republican Party, which was cause for new alarm by the government and especially in the castle. Laginja traveled to Belgrade again, where he was accused of lenlence and permissiveness in relation to Radić and was removed as governor of Croatia and Slavonia. Since the regent had never agreed with Laginja's political attitudes, especially with regard to Radić, Alexander signed the decree for his removal without heeding Laginja's appeal for an audience.
Ključne riječi
Hrčak ID:
219369
URI
Datum izdavanja:
29.12.1974.
Posjeta: 1.262 *