Branko Vukelić

Branko Vukelić (9 March 1958 – 3 May 2013) was a Croatian politician who served as Minister of Defence of Croatia from 2008 to 2010 and as Minister of the Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship from 2003 to 2008. He was one of the most prominent political figures from the city of Karlovac during the 1990s and 2000s.

He graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Zagreb in 1981. He was also a dog lover, particularly fond of German Shepherds.

Death In late 2009 he suffered a heart attack and underwent stent implantation. He was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, with which he battled for about two years. He died on 3 May 2013 at the Karlovac General Hospital at the age of 55. He was buried with military honours in Vukmanić, near his birthplace.

Legacy As mayor of Karlovac, Vukelić supported several infrastructure projects in the post-war period. One of the most notable was the planned bridge over the Korana River, which became popularly known as the “Vukelić Bridge” in local media and public discourse.

At the national level, he is remembered for his role in economic policy during Croatia's EU pre-accession period and for overseeing the defence sector during the country's accession to NATO.