Diskretni šarm gradonačelnika

The Discreet Charm of the Mayor is a book by Zlatko Kramarić—a politician from Osijek, a scholar of literary theory, and a long-serving mayor. The work brings together the author’s columns and journalistic writings from the turn of the century, in which he reflects on dynamic socio-political processes, the democratic transition, and the challenges facing post-war Croatia. The book’s title is a witty allusion to Luis Buñuel’s famous film The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, signaling from the outset the author’s ironic and satirical stance toward the local and national political scenes. In these essays, Kramarić combines his experience as a long-time political officeholder with the intellectual reflections of a literature professor and cultural studies scholar. Thematically, the book covers a wide range of issues—from the functioning of local government and the role of intellectuals in politics to problems of corruption, mentality, and the construction of a European identity. The author openly and unreservedly analyzes phenomena such as the abuse of power, clientelism, and the absurdities of political life. The Discreet Charm of the Mayor offers an accessible yet incisive analysis of political culture, providing the reader with an authentic insight into the mechanisms of power and a chronicle of a turbulent era.