The Croatian Parliament is a representative body of citizens and is vested with the legislative power in the Republic of Croatia. The Parliament, as the oldest state institution, has been advocating, guaranteeing and protecting Croatia’s statehood and national interests throughout centuries.

Until the mid-nineteenth century, membership in the Parliament was restricted to members of the aristocracy and clergy. Then in 1848, pursuant to the Electoral Order issued at the command of Josip Jelačić – Croatia’s ban, or royal governor - the first Parliament of citizens in Croatia was elected. All able-bodied members from the previous Parliament remained in it (at the invitation of the ban), while an additional 192 representatives of the people, elected regardless of social station (although subject to property and educational restrictions), were elected.

After the first democratic multiparty elections held in Croatia on 30 May 1990, the first multiparty parliament was constituted. According to the provisions of the new Constitution promulgated in December 1990, the Parliament consisted of two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies with legislative authority, and the Chamber of Counties with an advisory role and the right to lodge so-called suspension vetoes. After the enactment of constitutional amendments in 2000, which changed the semi-presidential system in a parliamentary system, the Parliament acquired a new, more important role in Croatia’s political system. After the elimination of the Chamber of Counties under the constitutional amendments enacted in 2001, the Croatian Parliament became unicameral.