I was right in the center of Zagreb when the news of prime minister’s resignation started spreading early yesterday afternoon. Mobile phones were ringing all around the crowded Bulldog Pub terrace, where I was sitting with a few friends at the time. Everyone was quite stunned. Prime ministers do not resign every day, not even in Croatia. As people around me were discussing the consequences under their breaths, my mind immediately shifted to Motovun. What will be the consequences of the unexpected resignation on golf development within sight of the enchanted hilltown?

The connection between the mayor of Motovun, the governor of Istria, and the prime minister of Croatia in golf development is obvious enough. From the very first day, every single move in the process of building a hulking golf resort right next to one of national cultural treasures was controlled from the top. The key ministers involved in the process had to be coordinated, and the prime minister was always there to keep an eye on everything. If it is also true that many of the top government officials were involved in a money laundering scheme through the British investor in Motovun’s golf resort, as well as many other similar developments across Istria and Dalmatia, coordination from the very top was rather essential.

What is in store, though? Is the prime minister’s resignation the beginning of the end of golf development in Motovun? Although there are too many unknowns in this murky venture, I would surely guess so. The Croatian government will be in turmoil for weeks, if not longer. Other resignations are soon to follow. The new prime minister will take months to bring all the reins of power together once again. In the meanwhile, some shady deals will fall by the wayside. On top of everything, Croatia is currently doing very poorly in tourism, its sole “export” sector worth talking about, which means that the economic crisis will only get worse after the busiest summer months. Next year is likely to be much worse for tourism, as well. All in all, chances are that golf development in Motovun is a matter of the past. Phew!