Maja Odrčić Mikulić, a long-time civil servant and director of the People’s University, is known for her work in the fields of social and education. The surprise came when she ran for the position of representative of the Roma minority, as it was the first time she had publicly identified herself as Roma – without any prior public mentions or connections to this community.

According to Croatian law, changing one’s ethnicity does not require proof – a personal statement is sufficient. Thus, she gained the right to run with one signature.

• IZ HRVATICE U ROMKINJU Elvis Kralj: Tražimo trenutnu smjenu pročelnice Maje Odrčić Mikulić. In: Međimurje. 21.04.2025. https://emedjimurje.net.hr/vijesti/politika/3064443/iz-hrvatice-u-romkinju-elvis-kralj-trazimo-trenutnu-smjenu-procelnice-maje-odrcic-mikulic/#google_vignette
• Brez dokazil, le z izjavo: Dolgoletna državna uradnica tik pred volitvami spremenila narodnost in postala Romkinja. In: Maribor Info. 24.04.2025. https://mariborinfo.com/novica/globalno/brez-dokazil-le-z-izjavo-dolgoletna-drzavna-uradnica-tik-pred-volitvami-spremenila-narodnost-postala-romkinja/285302
• A Croatian woman became a Roma woman: Did the politician from Međimurje “sell her faith for dinner”?In: Vremer. 23.04.2025. https://vreme.com/en/svet/hrvatica-postala-romkinja-da-li-je-politicarka-iz-medjimurja-prodala-veru-za-veceru/