What the episode made visible, however, is the structural fragility of satirical expression when the conditions around it shift. Public broadcasters can come under pressure from political actors who have openly stated their intention to reshape or dismantle public institutions. Private broadcasters, meanwhile, can be steered by the priorities of their owners.

A proud member of the Union since 2013, Croatia has recently advanced its own integration by joining the Eurozone in January 2023, setting a precedent for neighboring states (Walker, 2023). Yet, increasing political turbulence risks undermining the progress and discrediting the EU.