This paper will examine the extent and ways in which women representatives in Croatian Parliament represent women as a distinct social group. The role of women representatives will be assessed by applying aggregative and deliberative criteria as proposed by Mansbridge (2003) for normative evaluation of surrogate representation. The paper will also differentiate between constitutive and redistributive women’s interests by drawing on Fraser’s understanding of gender issues as those situated between demands for recognition and redistribution (Fraser, 1997; Fraser, Honneth, 2003), and Lowi’s classification of policy regimes (1964; 1970; 1972). By examining parliamentary debates on sets of laws concerning gender equality, domestic violence and assisted reproduction as constitutive issues, and regulations on family leave, conditions for retirement for men and women and labour law as redistributive issues, the paper will argue that surrogate representation of women in Croatian parliament will vary according to specific characteristics of constitutive and redistributive policy regimes.
