Posted on 11/08/2015 8:28:40 PM PST by Nextrush
Croatia's opposition conservatives have declared victory in parliamentary elections, but face a challenge to form a government.
Partial results show the HDZ is to win about 60 seats, with more than 50 for the ruling alliance led by the Social Democrats.
The conservatives are now expected to enter talks to form a coalition.
The migration crisis was one of the main issues. More than 320,000 migrants have passed through Croatia this year.
"The victory brought us responsibility to lead our country, which is in a difficult situation," HDZ leader Tomislav Karamarko told supporters.
"Whoever wants to fight with us for the quality of life in Croatia is welcome."
The big winner looks to be third force in the election-an alliance of independent candidates known as Most (Bridge), which is expected to claim about 19 seats.
However, Most said before the vote it would not join either main coalition........
The two alliances have promised different approaches on how to handle the arrival of more refugees and migrants.....
Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic said this week that 320,000 migrants had passed through the country so far this year.
The cost of managing the arrivals was close to 2m kuna (189,000 pounds, $284,000) a day, he said.
Numbers increased when Hungary shut its border with Serbia.....
Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic and his Social Democrats (SDP) won appoval for their compassionate handling of the refugee crisis.
Mr. Karamarko has suggested using troops and fences to reduce the number of arrivals........
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
The third group that holds the balance of power says it doesn't want to join either big party to form a government.
Maybe the two big parties in Croatia are as fake and phony with their rhetoric like the ones in this country?
Don’t know, I am guessing if they’re serious the conservatives will have to do something about stopping the migrant crisis.
In any case it’s good that they at least have a fighting chance with the conservatives in power rather than the socialists.
I can’t pretend to understand Croatian politics, but the SDP is the successor to the former League of Communists of the Tito era...so very left-wing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.