Croatian MEP stands down from national party after friends and family attended EU Parliament event

A Croatian MEP stood down from her national party on Thursday after POLITICO revealed her inner circle attended a taxpayer-funded European Parliament event in Strasbourg. Romana Jerković, who sits with the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament, was to face a disciplinary investigation by her SDP party in Croatia. The party leader, Siniša Hajdaš Dončić, said he wanted the SDP presidency to open a disciplinary proceeding with the intention of excluding the MEP. Before the meeting, due Thursday, Jerković announced she was leaving the party. “I am not leaving because I have done anything for which I should have to justify myself or feel ashamed,” she said in a press release.