Croatia: Out of the Presidential Election and into European Union?

EA correspondent Fulya Inci writes:

Last Sunday, Crotians voted in a presidential runoff. Ivo Josipovic, the candidate of the main opposition, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), won about 6o percent of the votes to defeat populist Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic.

Current President Stipe Mesic interpreted the result as a victory for European Crotia. Josipovic told his celebrating supporters:

I want a European Croatia, a Croatia that will be one of the shining stars in the European sky. This would be not only through EU membership but by values that we stand for --- democracy, freedom, human rights, rule of law, minority rights and religious freedom.

Josipovic’s attitude during the presidential campaign has been largely supported by the media, contrary to the treatment of his rival, Bandic, who was kicked out of SDP after deciding to run for President. Bandic had claimed that Croatia would be returned to Communist rule under Josipovic and had turned to the influential Catholic Church for support.



In spite of his clear victory, the newly-elected President is likely to have difficulty solving current problems. Crotia faces the challenges of economic shrinkage, reforms needed for EU entry, and ongoing disputes with neighbouring countries, especially Serbia. Croatia and Serbia have filed lawsuits against each other at the International Court of Justice over alleged war crimes and Crotia’s relations with Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in February 2008.

Josipovic remains hopeful, “We all want a country where work is paid for and crime is punished… we will win the fight against the economic crisis, the fight against corruption and crime, the fight against poverty and misery.”

Josipovic will assume the Presidency on 18 February.