Croatian Democratic Union Emerges Victorious in Parliamentary Elections
In a dramatic turn of events, the Croatian Democratic Union clinched victory in the parliamentary elections, but their hold on power hinges on securing support from the far right.
The ruling conservative party in Croatia emerged as the winner in a hotly contested election, as per the official vote tally.
The right-wing Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) managed to outshine a centrist left-wing coalition led by populist President Zoran Milanovic and his Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Despite their resounding triumph, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic’s HDZ will require backing from far-right factions to maintain their grip on power.
The election was marked by a fierce rivalry between the country’s president and prime minister.
With over 90% of the votes counted, the state electoral commission confirmed that the HDZ secured 60 seats in the 151-seat parliament, while the SDP secured 42 seats.
The far-right Statehood Movement claimed the third spot with 14 seats, positioning them as a crucial player in future government negotiations.
“Starting tomorrow morning, we will begin the process of building a new parliamentary majority to establish our third government,” Plenkovic declared in his victory address. “I extend my congratulations to the other parties who were defeated by the HDZ.”
The voter turnout surpassed 50%, setting a new record, even before the polls closed.
The election unfolded against the backdrop of Croatia grappling with the highest inflation rate in the eurozone, a scarcity of labor, illegal immigration, and allegations of widespread corruption.
Also at stake in the electoral race was the unity of the European Union amid the turmoil resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
President Zoran Milanovic of the SDP, which faced defeat in the polls, has been vocal in his opposition to providing more aid to Ukraine, sparking concerns that Croatia might align itself with EU members more sympathetic to Moscow, such as Hungary and Slovakia.
However, the victory of the HDZ suggests that the country is poised to continue its pro-Western trajectory.
Since Croatia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, the HDZ has predominantly held power.
The Balkan nation became the newest EU member in 2013 and joined the eurozone and Europe’s passport-free travel area just last year. — Euronews
