December 22, 2019
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Voters in Croatia cast ballots Sunday in a tight presidential election, with the ruling conservatives seeking to keep their grip on power days before the country takes over the European Union's rotating presidency for the first time.
Some 3.8 million voters in the EU's newest member are picking among 11 candidates, but only three are considered to be contenders in the vote held on rainy day during Christmas holiday season. Conservative incumbent Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic is running for a second term, challenged by leftist former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic and right-wing singer Miroslav Skoro.
Although the post is largely ceremonial in Croatia — the president formally commands the army and represents the country abroad — keeping the presidency is important for the ruling Croatian Democratic Union party as its government is set to assume the EU chairmanship on Jan. 1. That job will include overseeing Britain's departure from the bloc, expected on Jan. 31, and the start of post-Brexit trade talks.
Analysts predict that a presidential runoff vote will have to be held in two weeks as no candidate is expected to win an outright majority. Grabar Kitarovic started off stronger but her position has weakened after a series of gaffes during the campaign. She is still believed to have a slight lead going into the election, followed closely by Milanovic. Skoro is trailing in third.
“We are deciding in which direction Croatia will go,” Grabar Kitarovic said upon voting in Zagreb, the capital. The 51-year-old incumbent is known for flirting with the extreme right while seeking also to portray herself as a peoples' president. Milanovic during campaign promised to turn Croatia into a “normal” tolerant country, while Skoro played an anti-establishment, nationalist card.
Although Croatia has recovered since the devastating 1991-95 war that followed the breakup of former Yugoslavia, it still is one of the poorest nations in the EU and corruption is believed to be widespread. The nation of 4.2 million people is best known for its stunning Adriatic Sea coast, which includes over 1,000 islands and picturesque coastal towns such as the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik.
Critics have blasted the government for setting the election date three days before Christmas, a time when many people travel abroad. The ruling HDZ party, they said, counts on the support from Croats who live abroad and normally flock home for the holidays.
After voting in Zagreb, Milanovic predicted there would be a runoff. “We have done all we could, I have done my best," he said. “People could see that and now it is up to them to decide.” Skoro urged citizens not to stay at home because of the rain.
“The voters decide today about the future of our country," he said. “Changes have to happen and people must come out to vote despite bad weather.”
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Voters in Croatia cast ballots Sunday in a tight presidential election, with the ruling conservatives seeking to keep their grip on power days before the country takes over the European Union's rotating presidency for the first time.
Some 3.8 million voters in the EU's newest member are picking among 11 candidates, but only three are considered to be contenders in the vote held on rainy day during Christmas holiday season. Conservative incumbent Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic is running for a second term, challenged by leftist former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic and right-wing singer Miroslav Skoro.
Although the post is largely ceremonial in Croatia — the president formally commands the army and represents the country abroad — keeping the presidency is important for the ruling Croatian Democratic Union party as its government is set to assume the EU chairmanship on Jan. 1. That job will include overseeing Britain's departure from the bloc, expected on Jan. 31, and the start of post-Brexit trade talks.
Analysts predict that a presidential runoff vote will have to be held in two weeks as no candidate is expected to win an outright majority. Grabar Kitarovic started off stronger but her position has weakened after a series of gaffes during the campaign. She is still believed to have a slight lead going into the election, followed closely by Milanovic. Skoro is trailing in third.
“We are deciding in which direction Croatia will go,” Grabar Kitarovic said upon voting in Zagreb, the capital. The 51-year-old incumbent is known for flirting with the extreme right while seeking also to portray herself as a peoples' president. Milanovic during campaign promised to turn Croatia into a “normal” tolerant country, while Skoro played an anti-establishment, nationalist card.
Although Croatia has recovered since the devastating 1991-95 war that followed the breakup of former Yugoslavia, it still is one of the poorest nations in the EU and corruption is believed to be widespread. The nation of 4.2 million people is best known for its stunning Adriatic Sea coast, which includes over 1,000 islands and picturesque coastal towns such as the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik.
Critics have blasted the government for setting the election date three days before Christmas, a time when many people travel abroad. The ruling HDZ party, they said, counts on the support from Croats who live abroad and normally flock home for the holidays.
After voting in Zagreb, Milanovic predicted there would be a runoff. “We have done all we could, I have done my best," he said. “People could see that and now it is up to them to decide.” Skoro urged citizens not to stay at home because of the rain.
“The voters decide today about the future of our country," he said. “Changes have to happen and people must come out to vote despite bad weather.”
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