The first free, multiparty democratic elections were conducted in Croatia in the spring of 1990, and democratic Croatian Parliament was constituted on May 30, 1990 based on the electoral results.
First parlimentary sitting of the new Parliament of the Socialist Republic of Croatia was attended by numerous guests from homeland and diaspora, as well as representatives of religious communities. Elected members of the parliament voted Žarko Domljan as the Speaker of the parliament, and Ivica Percan, Stjepan Sulimanac and Vladimir Šeks, as Deputy Speakers.
Stjepan Mesić was elected the President of the Executive Council of the Parliament, and Franjo Tuđman the President of the Presidency of the Socialist Republic of Croatia. In his first speech to newly elected members of the Parliament, Tuđman emphasized that constitution of the first multiparty parliament, represents the first step towards return of Croatian people and it's country to European, civilized, political, cultural and economical tradition.
Until the enacment of the Provisions of the National Observance, Holiday and Memorial Day Act in 2001, the day of the first parlimentary sitting was celebrated as Statehood day. Since 2001, 30th May has been marked as Croatian Parliament Day - a Day that reminds us all of strategic role of the Croatian Parliament, highest representative and legislative body of all Croatian citizens, irreplaceable mid point institution of every democratic country.