According to the Croatian media today, a leading figure from the Istrian Democratic Assembly has recently told an audience in Trieste, of all places, that Istria would seek autonomy after Croatia’s accession to the European Union. Splendid. Autonomy cannot be but a good thing. Now and ever. I only wonder what sort of autonomy is involved in this particular case. Is the leading Istrian party planning autonomy from Croatia? Or from Italy, whence the venue for this exploratory announcement? Or from the vaunted Union? Come to think of it, Istria may well seek autonomy from, well, Istria. It would be a clever and safe bet, too. As it would be an entirely internal matter, in which the Istrian Democratic Assembly would gain an upper hand without much ado, Istria would finally be on its own. Autonomous to boot. Nay, invincible. With the possible exception of the Istrian Democratic Assembly, it goes without saying. Who knows, the intrepid party may eventually seek autonomy from itself.

Addendum I (June 13, 2019)

To wrap this silly story up, Istria did not seek autonomy after Croatia’s accession to the European Union. Ever since July 1, 2013, the then leading figure from the Istrian Democratic Assembly is kind of quiet on the subject, as well. The tourist boom following the accession has put a dent into the longing for autonomy. Since 2014, the number of tourists visiting the peninsula is staggering, and there is no time to waste on political games of yesteryear. Autonomy, schmautonomy.

Addendum II (August 10, 2021)

The leading figure from the Istrian Democratic Assembly mentioned in this piece and the previous addendum is Ivan Jakovčić, it goes without saying. Although he keeps poking his fingers into political affairs of all descriptions, he is officially out of politics for quite a few years already. I was thus surprised to see his picture on one of the Croatian websites that occasionally dabbles into politics. Now he has a beard and long hair, both of which are gray. As of a few years ago, he is engaged in the production of olive oil and garlic, or so he claims. And he is rather sad about the fate of the Istrian Democratic Assembly, which has been plummeting in local elections as of late. Nowadays, Istrian autonomy is nothing if not a joke. With a population of no more than two-hundred-thousand people, the region is destined to remain marginal at best. The same holds for Jakovčić himself. In a few short years, he will become unrecognizable.