Pro-West president wins second term in Croatian election run-off
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Croatia's incumbent President Stipe Mesic, credited with moving the ex-Yugoslav country closer to the West, overwhelmingly won a second term yesterday in a run-off election.
Mr Mesic, 70, won 66 per cent of the vote, after nearly all votes were counted. His rival, the governing conservative party's minister, Jadranka Kosor, garnered 34 per cent.
Mr Mesic said voters recognised in him "a stubborn fighter" for Croatia's course and better living standards.
"Croatia has passed a long way in building its democracy and the world and Europe recognized that. That's why we're now before the doors of the European Union," Mesic said to cheers from his supporters.
He also offered a conciliatory hand to the outgoing Croatian Democratic Union after a fierce campaign, saying: "Croatia is walking into the mainstream Europe by big steps and now we have to be united."
Ms Kosor congratulated Mr Mesic but added that her standing was "respectable." The result gives Mr Mesic a mandate until late 2009, when the nation of 4.5 million people hopes to join the European Union.
The result is a blow to Prime Minister Ivo Sanader's Croatian Democratic Union, which returned to power a year ago. The party only recently distanced itself from its nationalist roots to become a pro-European conservative group.
About 4.4 million people - including 400,000 living abroad - registered to vote, with a turnout just more than 50 per cent.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments