Surviving a character assassination: The case of Sandra Benčić

The latest headlines in Croatian politics centred on a decades-old incident, which was brought to light by conservative Member of Parliament Hrvoje Zekanović and set off an unexpected storm. The target was Sandra Benčić, the rising star of the green-left party “Možemo!” (We can!) and the party’s prime ministerial nominee. But this wasn’t just politics as usual, it was a calculated attempt to tarnish a reputation. Let’s dive into the tumultuous events that put Benčić’s character in the crosshairs—and how she dodged them.