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Social Democrat Josipovic wins Croatia's Presidential runoff

The opposition Social Democrat, Ivo Josipovic, claimed a landslide victory in Croatia's Presidential election held yesterday (January 10th). After nearly all votes were counted, Croatia's electoral commission stated that Josipovic won 60.3 per cent of the vote in the second round run-off, compared to 39.7 per cent secured by the populist mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandic who competed as an independent candidate. Correspondents say the result was expected, but the margin of victory even larger than polls had predicted.

Fight corruption
The Social Democrat has pledged to lead an "uncompromising fight against corruption" and to help the government complete EU membership talks this year  “This victory is not only mine… all citizens of this country have won because we all want a better Croatia with more justice,” Josipovic said while addressing his supporters in Zagreb after preliminary results were announced. “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,”  he added. President of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Zoran Milanovic said that the victory of Ivo Josipovic is not only a victory for the SDP, but also for the social and democratic values the party believes in. Croatian PM Jadranka Kosor, who is also the president of the ruling conservative party Croat Democratic Union (HDZ) said she expected “good cooperation” with the new President.

Bandic says to stay mayor
The government campaign had already resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen officials and high-level investigations into a number of state owned companies. During the pre-election campaign, Josipovic’s contender Milan Bandic was exposed to particularly harsh media criticism over his alleged nepotism and corruption. Bandic was kicked out of the Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP) after deciding to run for the Presidency, thereby ignoring the party's choice of candidate. After losing the election, he said he will “return to work” as Zagreb mayor and voiced satisfaction with the support he won despite being exposed to “hate, spite and slander unseen in Croatia in the past 20 years”.

Fulfilling the EU wish 
Josipovic who will be Croatia's third President since its independence from former Yugoslavia in 1991, hopes to lead the country into the European Union by 2012. “This was a victory of democracy, a victory of European Croatia,” outgoing President Mesic said. Mesic added that the key challenges facing his successor will include further improvement of relationships with neighboring countries and supporting the government in implementing reforms aimed at making Croatia “compatible with the European Union”.

Regaining popular trust in politics
According to analysts, Croatians have been largely unenthusiastic by this election, which is reflected by the low turnout of 50.3%, slightly up on the first round. Frustrated with widespread corruption, they have also been hard hit by the global financial crisis, with Croatia's economy likely to show barely any growth this year. Unemployment remains at around 16%, while the country’s external debt is expected to reach 100 per cent of GDP this year and the economy is set to contract by over 5 per cent. Meanwhile, Josipovic has been criticised for lacking charisma. Nevertheless, he will be hoping to restore popular faith in politics, as well as steer Croatia towards calmer and cleaner waters, according to international correspondents.

Ivo Josipovic won the first round on 27 December but he failed to attract over 50% of the support, sending him into round two against runner-up Milan Bandic, the mayor of Zagreb. The 52-year-old law professor and classical music composer succeeds Stipe Mesic, who will step down in February after 10 years as President. Although the President’s power in Croatia is largely ceremonial, he has strong influence over foreign policy and is also the commander of the armed forces. The post also holds high moral authority.  

Sources: Balkan Insight; SETimes; BBC