Croatian Prime Minister and Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party chairman Andrej Plenkovic casts his vote in the parliamentary election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia on April 17, 2024. Image Credit: Reuters
HDZ (Democratic Union of Croatia) hopes to ride on long-standing support for monitoring Croatia’s accession to the European Union.
Croats cast their ballots on April 17 in a parliamentary vote that will test the popularity of Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his ruling conservative HDZ party, accused by opponents of corruption and nepotism.
HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) hopes to ride on long-term support for Croatia’s accession to the European Union, the introduction of the euro and overseeing a boom in tourists visiting the country’s Adriatic coast.
But many are tired of the HDZ, which has dominated politics since Croatia’s independence from the crumbling federal Yugoslavia in 1991.
Analysts say its multiple graft scandals, including the appointment of Plenkovic, a state attorney known for his connections to people involved in corrupt deals, could tarnish his majority. Plenkovic denies wrongdoing.
The streets of the capital Zagreb were quiet on Wednesday as voters lined up to cast their ballots on a national holiday.
“We want to see politicians working in the interest of the people; that’s why we elect them. Nothing in the last 30 years,” said Biserka Kolarik, a pensioner who voted in Zagreb.
About 3.7 million voters choose between more than 2,000 candidates. Exit polls are expected within minutes of polls closing at 7pm (1700 GMT). Official results are expected in the coming days.
The most recent polls by IPSOS showed HDZ securing 60 seats in the 151-seat parliament, more than any other party but not enough to secure an outright majority. Coalition talks are expected after the vote.
Plenkovic’s main rival, President Zoran Milanovic, has said he will resign as head of government if his Social Democratic Party (SDP) wins power with the help of other smaller parties.
“This (election) is a referendum on the future of Croatia. Croatia cannot stand another four years of Plenkovic’s rule,” Milanovic said in a video published on his Facebook page.
If the result puts a Social Democrat-led coalition in power, it could change the country’s stance on key issues, such as support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Milanovic opposes aid to Ukraine.
The SDP-led coalition known as Rivers of Justice is predicted to come second in the poll with 41 seats, while the far-right Homeland Movement and the green Mozemo party are third and fourth with 15 and 11 seats respectively.
“A highly fragmented parliament could pave the way for a diverse coalition led by the Social Democratic Party to come to office, increasing political unpredictability and instability,” the Teneo consultancy said in a note.