No Majority Winner in Croatia’s Parliamentary Elections

No party won enough votes in Croatia’s parliamentary election on Sunday meaning negotiations to form coalitions will be the focus for the two major parties in the days ahead…

Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) had a marginal victory in last night’s election, winning 59 seats in the 151-seat parliament after nearly all of the votes had been counted. The Social Democrats (SPD) won 56 seats meaning neither would have a controlling majority to form parliament.

What this means now is that the surprise of the election, newly formed party Most (Bridge), with 19 seats, would hold the balance of power. Both HDZ and SDP would now in the days ahead try to build coalitions to form the new parliament.

This is not as easy as it sounds with Most saying before the elections that they were not interested in entering into coalitions with either major party.

“The victory brought us responsibility to lead our country, which is in a difficult situation. Whoever wants to fight with us for the quality of life in Croatia is welcome,” HDZ leader Tomislav Karamarko told supporters in the early hours of Monday morning.

Current Prime Minister and SDP leader Zoran Milanovic also called on Most to help SDP carry out critical reforms over the next 4 years.