Conservatives win narrow victory in Croatian election

BELGRADE, Serbia

The conservative opposition Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) narrowly won the country's first election since joining the EU, according to the State Electoral Commission on Monday.

With nearly all the votes counted, the HDZ-led Patriotic Coalition is set to take 59 places in 151-seat parliament while the center-left led by the Social Democratic Party is to get 56 seats.

The slight margin of victory means Croatia is likely to face weeks of negotiations over the formation of a government as the country is struggling with vast numbers of refugees, high youth emigration and a fragile economy.

“The victory brought us responsibility to lead our country, which is in a difficult situation,” HDZ leader Tomislav Karamarko told crowds after the count. “Those who are ready to fight for a better quality of life in Croatia are welcome.”

An alliance of independent candidates known as Most - Croat for “Bridge” - came third and is to claim 19 seats. It could hold the key to a new government although its leader has said the party would not enter a coalition.

Croatia’s 3.8 million registered voters went to the polls on Sunday in the first election since joining the EU in 2013.

More than 2,300 candidates on 166 slates - mostly party tickets - stood for election.