Croatians vote in election pitting PM Plenkovic in opposition to President Milanovic | Elections Information

Exit polls anticipated minutes after voting ends at 7pm (17:00 GMT), with official outcomes due within the coming days.

Croatians are casting ballots in a parliamentary election largely pitting incumbent Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in opposition to the nation’s president, Zoran Milanovic.

Voters will select between greater than 2,000 candidates in Wednesday’s polls that come because the nation wrestles with excessive inflation, a labour scarcity and allegations of official corruption.

Exit polls are anticipated minutes after voting ends at 7pm (17:00 GMT), with official outcomes due within the coming days.

For months, 54-year-old Plenkovic and his ruling conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) appeared poised for a simple victory that will safe his third time period as prime minister.

However in mid-March, Milanovic, a 57-year-old populist, made the shock announcement that he would problem Plenkovic and grow to be candidate prime minister for the Social Democrats (SDP).

Nonetheless, the Constitutional Court docket warned Milanovic that his candidacy whereas he’s president is incompatible together with his official place.

The president holds a largely ceremonial function in Croatia, whereas the prime minister exerts a lot of the political energy. Milanovic’s mandate expires in January however he mentioned he would step down if the SDP and its allies safe a majority to type a brand new authorities.

Pre-election polls recommended that the HDZ would win most seats within the 151-seat parliament, however not sufficient to safe an outright majority. Coalition talks are anticipated to comply with the vote.

The streets of Zagreb have been quiet as voters lined as much as solid their ballots on a nationwide vacation.

“We wish to see politicians work within the curiosity of the individuals; that’s what we elect them for. Nothing like up to now 30 years,” pensioner Biserka Kolaric, who voted within the capital, advised Reuters.

Fears of weakening EU’s unity on Ukraine

The HDZ has largely held energy since Croatia gained independence from the previous Yugoslavia in 1991.

If it stays in energy, the nation would proceed a pro-Western course in supporting Ukraine in its battle in opposition to Russia. A hit for SDP may put it on monitor for victory within the European Parliament elections in June and the presidential election in December.

Plenkovic has lambasted Milanovic over his criticism of EU backing for Ukraine in opposition to Russia’s invasion and the president’s opposition to coaching Ukrainian troopers in Croatia.

“Milanovic is pushing Croatia and the Croatian individuals into the Russian world,” Plenkovic advised supporters throughout a pre-election rally.

The president has argued that he’s defending Croatian pursuits and seeks to stop the nation being “dragged into conflict”.

“My character just isn’t straightforward, however I cannot stay silent,” he wrote in a current Fb put up and pledged to “type a nationwide salvation authorities”.

Corruption accusations

The president has additionally accused Plenkovic and the HDZ of rampant corruption and “huge theft” of state funds, referring to previous and current scandals, a few of which had ended up within the courts.

A number of ministers from the celebration have stepped down amid corruption allegations. One performing minister was arrested.

“Croatia has by no means had such a corrupt authorities,” Milanovic mentioned in his remaining deal with forward of the vote.

Plenkovic, who has led the federal government since 2016, has repeatedly denied the accusations. He has additionally accused his rival of violating the structure, making hate speech and referred to as him a “coward” for not resigning to contest the polls.

The prime minister has been highlighting his function in guiding the nation of three.8 million individuals into the eurozone and Europe’s passport-free Schengen space final 12 months.

However with a mean month-to-month wage of 1,240 euros ($1,345), the nation stays one of many European Union’s poorest.