Croatia’s conservatives win early elections

Ten months after the last elections in Croatia, the victory of the conservatives in the early elections today opens the door for a repeat of the same coalition that formed a centerright government last January, which only lasted six months.

With 84 percent of votes counted, the conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party, led by Andrej Plenkovic, now have taken the clear lead with 61 of the 151seat parliament, five seats more than in the last November elections.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) led by former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic (20112015) came in second place with 54 seats, five seats less than ten months ago.

Plenkovic promised a stable future for the Croatian government and its priorities will be political stability, the rule of law, economic development and social justice.

Plenkovic, a lawyer, diplomat and active member of the European Parliament, replaced Tomislav Karamarko in June as head of the HDZ after Karamarko resigned as following a conflict of interest scandal.