The Daily Telegraph

Why Theresa needs to be more Kolinda

The PM could learn from Croatia’s president when it comes to charismati­c leadership, says Guy Kelly

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What can England expect when they go up against Croatia in their World Cup semi-final tomorrow? Certainly not a cakewalk, as anybody who was still sober enough to take in the second game of the weekend could tell you: for the Eastern European nation has a secret weapon.

When Croatia beat Russia in Sochi on Saturday evening, high up in the VIP area, their president, Kolinda Grabar-kitarović, stole the show with the most passionate display of football cheerleadi­ng since Delia Smith threatened to spatchcock Norwich City fans if they didn’t cheer up some 13 years ago.

As entertaini­ng as she was endearing, having travelled to the match with fans in economy class, Grabar-kitarović – Croatia’s first female president, and its youngest (she was elected at the age of 46 in 2015) – chanted herself hoarse, jumped at every chance, risked a future Novichokki­ng by performing a victory dance in the face of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, then joined her players in the changing room for post-match celebratio­ns. And all the while, she was wearing a Croatia shirt.

It was a world-class display of charismati­c leadership, and Twitter was set ablaze with admiration.

“This is the lady who inspired Croatia tonight,” wrote one. “She stole the show… meet the goddess, Her Excellency Kolinda Grabar-kitarović of Croatia!” another put.

Arguably, fevers peaked when photograph­s of a bikini-clad Coco Austin, the former Playboy model and wife of rapper Ice-t, were circulated purporting to be Grabar-kitarović, but it wasn’t the first time the two had been mistaken.

So in this week of weeks, what could our prime minister learn from Croatia’s cheerleade­r-in-chief? Here are some ways that Theresa May could be “more Kolinda”...

Get involved

It is reasonable to say Mrs May is not, even by her own high standards, having the best week. We are only at Tuesday, yet she has already faced calls to quit, accepted the resignatio­ns of senior Cabinet ministers, and still has “Dinner with Donald” staring at her from the pages of her diary.

“Huge congratula­tions to Gareth Southgate and his team. Another excellent win to make the whole country proud. #Threelions #Worldcup18,” was the best she could tweet on Saturday. May prefers cricket, and while honesty is welcome – it’s certainly better than the time when David Cameron forgot he supported Aston Villa, not West Ham – she also ruled out attending the World Cup months ago, deciding it would be too hostile and awkward (yet lately it’s looking more like a blessed relief). But she could at least contribute an “It’s Coming Home” karaoke meme, couldn’t she? Grabar-kitarović would.

Prime Minister, M&S does that waistcoat in your size…

Dress for the occasion

Appearing in the VIP box before kick-off, Grabar-kitarović had what looked like a simple red and white suit on: her country’s colours, but still smart enough to denote her status. Safe, no? No! It wasn’t just a red and white suit. Like Bucks Fizz at Eurovision in 1981, Grabar-kitarović whipped off her jacket to send the fans wild with an official Croatia jersey.

How can Mrs May, a woman who prefers to express sartorial rebellion through shoes and shoes alone, possibly respond? There is only one answer: Prime Minister, your nearest M&S in on Victoria Street, and it does that waistcoat in your size.

Lose your inhibition­s

Grabar-kitarović may have a first name like a sieve, but nothing escaped her on Saturday. There was a melodramat­ic reaction to every pass, tackle, shot and referee call. Later, videos were posted of the mother-of-two linking arms with the Croatia team and coaching staff, chanting in the changing room.

Grabar-kitarović seems like the kind of woman who orders round after round of shots at weddings, who’d corral a Tube carriage into dancing with a busker on the way home, and who, if she were Britain’s prime minister, would kick off her shoes and jump in Trafalgar Square fountains when England win on Sunday.

If she wants to keep up, May needs to channel the spirit of that child who ran through a field of wheat in the Seventies. Do something mad, Theresa. It’s coming home, with or without you, but if you’re not too busy, you could lend a hand.

 ??  ?? No 1 fan: Kolinda Grabarkita­rović cheers the Croatian side to victory on Saturday
No 1 fan: Kolinda Grabarkita­rović cheers the Croatian side to victory on Saturday

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