Two full months after my letter about golf in Croatia, there is not a word from you (“Golf Development in Croatia: A Letter to Croatian President Ivo Josipović,” February 15, 2011). A full month after my letter about communication with citizens of Croatia, there is not a word from you, either (“Communicating with the Public: A Letter to Croatian President Ivo Josipović,” March 15, 2011). It is high time for me to stop communicating with you, too. My letters are obviously in vain. In my view, you are a disappointment. And so is Croatia as a whole, I should add.

Let me use this opportunity to tell you that I voted for you in the last presidential elections. That was the last time I voted in Croatia, as well. Back then, you struck me as a kindred soul who could jolt this country out of its corrupt ways. Your academic credentials contributed to my enthusiasm, I must admit. But I have abandoned all hopes by now. Thus I have decided not to vote in Croatia ever again. Voting in this country is just like writing to you—it serves no purpose whatsoever. It only raises one’s hopes for a while, but to no avail.

Be that as it may, I wish you all the best in your remaining years as Croatian president. Let them be memorable, indeed. I hope you will manage to do a few things that are of lasting value. To wit, I wish that my assessment of you, as well as this poor country, is entirely wrong. Therefore, I hope that you will be remembered for your many successes at turning things around. And for good. This I wish most sincerely in spite of my many doubts, no matter how well informed and carefully considered they may happen to be. My best wishes to you for the very last time.

Addendum I (December 28, 2014)

As I promised, I never voted in Croatia after this date. And I never will, which gives me quite a thrill. Thus I will not vote in today’s presidential elections, either. Josipović is facing a few challengers in his bid for the second term at the country’s helm. For my sins, I hope my vote will be the crucial one for him to win. On a more sober note, he is likely to keep his post for another five years. What with inertia of the electorate and the implausibility of the challengers, the country is likely to rally behind him one more time. None of my business, it goes without saying. No matter who takes the reins, Croatia is going nowhere. That is a safe bet from now till eternity. And Josipović is just the right man for this challenging course.

Addendum II (January 12, 2015)

Josipović did pretty badly in the first round of presidential elections a fortnight ago. Even though incumbency usually brings a marked advantage with the electorate, he got only one percent more than his chief challenger. One percent! The second round of elections took place yesterday. Now that the votes have been counted, the incumbent is history. That fatal one percent turned around in a fortnight. Good riddance, professor! Go back to teaching boring old law. The new Croatian president is far from my liking, I hasten to add, but I am quite happy with the outcome still. Would that the next presidential elections brought yet another challenger to the fore. Five years is more than enough for any president, no matter how competent.