Croatias HDZ defeated in election
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
05.12.2011 09:17
Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor admitted defeat last night in Croatia's general election, though she will still be signing the EU Accession agreement in Brussels on 9 December.
Croatian voters choose change, Sunday: photo - EPA/Bat Antonino
Kosor's centre-right HDZ party lost to the so-called Kukuriku coalition led by 45-year-old former diplomat Zoran Milanovic of the Social Democrats (SDS).
The popularity of the HDZ, which has ruled the Balkan state for 16 of the last 20 years of Croatian independence, has been badly damaged by corruption scandals and an ailing economy.
Milanovic, who will be the next prime minister, vowed to work “longer and harder” to turn the economy around as Croatia gears up to become the second Balkan nation to join the EU after Slovenia.
Poland, which currently holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, confirmed last week however that the out-going prime minister Jadranka Kosor would still be the one signing the EU accession agreement on 9 December before a meeting of the European Council, which will be chaired by Polish PM, Donald Tusk.
Croatian president Ivo Josipovic will also be signing the document which will see Croatia become the 28th member of the EU in July 2012. (pg)