Croatia is gearing up for its parliamentary election on Wednesday, with the campaign characterized by intense exchanges between the country's top officials, leading to a political crisis in the Balkan nation that is a member of both the European Union and NATO.
The election will see the ruling conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), led by incumbent Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, facing off against an alliance of centrist and left-wing parties informally led by populist President Zoran Milanovic and his Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The outcome of the election holds significance not only for Croatia but also for Europe, especially amidst the instability caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A victory for the HDZ would likely maintain political stability and uphold Croatia's pro-Western stance in supporting Ukraine against Russia. On the other hand, a win for the SDP could potentially shift the political landscape, challenging the HDZ's long-standing dominance and possibly opening doors for increased pro-Russian influence in the country.
Since gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, the HDZ has largely held power in Croatia. The country joined the European Union in 2013 and became part of Europe's passport-free travel area and the eurozone last year.
In Croatia, the president holds a ceremonial role, while the prime minister wields most of the political power. President Milanovic's decision to schedule the election and announce his candidacy for prime minister sparked controversy, leading to a ruling by the constitutional court that deemed his actions unconstitutional.
The campaign has been marked by accusations of corruption and misconduct, with Milanovic accusing Plenkovic and the HDZ of widespread corruption and misuse of state funds, while Plenkovic has denied these allegations.
Despite pre-election polls favoring the HDZ, the outcome remains uncertain, with smaller parties on both the right and left potentially playing a crucial role in determining the balance of power in the parliament.
As Croatia prepares for this pivotal election, the results are eagerly awaited not only within the country but also across Europe, given the broader implications for regional stability and political dynamics.
