The HDZ, or Croatian Democratic Union, is a major political party in Croatia. Founded in 1989, it has played a significant role in the country's political landscape, particularly during the Croatian War of Independence. The party is generally associated with center-right policies and promotes national interests, economic development, and European integration. The HDZ has been part of various governments and has produced several prime ministers, including Andrej Plenković, who has been in office since 2016. The party's influence extends to local and regional levels, where it often collaborates with other parties to form coalitions and govern effectively.