Coalition talks begin in Croatia

Although there is still no clear winner in yesterday’s elections, the HDZ and SDP have both begun coalition talks.

Neither Prime Minister Ivo Sanader‘s Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) nor opposition leader Zoran Milanović‘s Social Democratic Party (SDP) have a majority in the Croatian parliament, and must therefore begin coalition discussions.

According to the preliminary results announced by the Croatian Election Commission, the HDZ won the most parliamentary seats, followed by the SDP.

Officials from both parties have announced coalition discussions since neither have been able to secure the absolute majority of 77 seats.

Last night both parties were celebrating. The latest results showed a small lead for the HDZ. According to tallies from 95 percent of the polling stations, the HDZ have won 60 of the 153 parliamentary seats.

The SDP have won 57 seats. HDZ President Ivo Sanader announced his victory at around midnight last night.

“I can tell you that I talked to the president and told him that I was awaiting the mandate to form the government,” Sanader said.

SDP leader Zoran Milanović said that he too had talked to Croatian President Stjepan Mesić.

“I can tell you that we are entering talks for forming the government, but we will not celebrate until we hear the final results,” Zoran Milanović said.

Mesić did not say whether he had talked with either of the leaders, stating only that he had expected such an outcome and was glad that there would be a strong opposition, regardless of who formed the government.