Ivan Vrdoljak

Ivan Vrdoljak
President of the Croatian People's Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 April 2016
Preceded by	Vesna Pusić
13th Minister of Economy of Croatia
In office 16 November 2012 – 22 January 2016
President	Ivo Josipović (2012-2015) Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović (2015-)
Prime Minister	Zoran Milanović
Preceded by	Radimir Čačić
Succeeded by	Tomislav Panenić
Minister of Construction of Croatia
In office 23 December 2011 – 16 November 2012
President	Ivo Josipović
Prime Minister	Zoran Milanović
Preceded by	Branko Bačić
Succeeded by	Anka Mrak Taritaš
Personal details
Born	(1972-06-22) 22 June 1972 Osijek, Croatia
Political party	Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats
Spouse(s)	Ivana Vrdoljak
Children	3
Alma mater	University of Osijek (Faculty of Electrical Engineering)
Occupation	Engineer

Ivan Vrdoljak (born 22 June 1972) is a Croatian politician and engineer who served as the Minister of Economy at the center-left Cabinet of Zoran Milanović. Since 2016, he is president of the Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats.^[1][2]

Early life and education

Ivan Vrdoljak was born on June 22, 1972 in Osijek, where he finished elementary school, gymnasium (Specialized in Mathematics-Informatics education) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering from which he graduated in electrical engineering. Vrdoljak also studied at the Academy for Political Development, Croatian branch of the Council of Europe from 2000-2005.

Working experience

After the graduation he started to work for RPM Engeharia company in Brazil as a designer in AutoCAD computer program. He later came back to Croatia and worked in "Nova livana" company in Osijek as an engineer trainee in automation. He then transferred to a company "Neo inžinjering" where he became a project manager in the process automation and management. In 2001 he together with his associates founded company "ATO inžinjering" in Osijek, where he was the director.

He is a member of the Croatian Hunting Association (Lovački savezi Hrvatske) and Hunting Club Mursa (Lovačko društvo Mursa). He actively plays football.

Political career

Ivan Vrdoljak and Waldemar Pawlak

Ivan Vrdoljak become secretary of the Croatian People's Party (HNS) branch in Osijek in 2000 and a member of the Croatian People's Party Osijek-Baranja County council. A year later he was elected member of the Central Board of HNS, and in 2002 President of the HNS Osijek branch. In 2004 he was elected to the position of a HNS Chairman of the Slavonia and Baranja Regional Alliance, and also as a councilor in Osijek-Baranja County Assembly. In 2006 he was elected as a councilor in Osijek City Council. In the Osijek elections in 2008 the coalition HNS-HSU-Green party won around 9% of the votes under his leadership. He served as deputy mayor of the city of Osijek in charge of social affairs and the economy after he formed a coalition with 2008 elections winners. As of 2011, he is the Minister of Economy in the Cabinet of Zoran Milanović.

References