Former Miss Croatia in Knin: From SDP Council Chamber to HDZ Guest
Katarina Prnjak, who last year played a key role in helping the HDZ take power in Split, attended the central ceremony marking the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm.
Katarina Prnjak, who last year played a key role in helping the HDZ take power in Split, attended the central ceremony marking the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm.
At the central commemoration of the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm in Knin, among the many guests, state officials, and veterans, was former Miss Croatia Katarina Prnjak. Photographers captured her during the aerial display, dressed in an elegant sleeveless black dress, complemented by a beige handbag and gold accents.
Prnjak won the Miss Croatia title in 2011 and also represented Croatia at the Miss World pageant, where she placed 112th. She is a trained lawyer by profession, and in recent years her career has become intertwined with politics.
A former member of Split's SDP and city councilor, Prnjak left the party last year. As an independent councilor, she supported the HDZ's proposal for the election of the president of the Split City Council, which enabled the party to take control of the council for the first time in a long while. This year, she was employed at the Split Port Authority.
Her appearance at the ceremony in Knin alongside the top state leadership drew public attention, given the political turnaround that marked her journey from an SDP councilor to a guest at the celebration alongside HDZ officials.
The commemoration of the Storm anniversary was accompanied by strong messages from the state leadership. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić wrote on Twitter: "Today, above all, we feel pride and gratitude towards those who gave their lives for freedom in Storm and throughout the Homeland War." He emphasized that the government is investing more than ever in the Croatian military, building modern Armed Forces.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated: "Thirty-one years ago, Croatian veterans raised the flag above Knin and fulfilled the dream of generations who believed in a free Croatia." He added that we owe it to Croatia and future generations to make it even safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
The ceremony was enhanced by an attractive aerial program. The acrobatic group "Wings of Storm" and multi-role Rafale fighter jets performed a flyover above Knin, after which they continued their flight over Croatia. According to a government announcement, a demonstration exercise of joint capabilities of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior was also held.
