This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37331820

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Croatia votes amid political and economic uncertainty Conservatives 'in the lead' in Croatia election
(about 13 hours later)
Voters in Croatia are going to the polls to choose a government for the second time in less than a year, with the outcome expected to be close and the end-result another shaky coalition. Preliminary results in Croatia show the conservative HDZ party in the lead after Sunday's parliamentary election.
Some 3.8 million Croatians are eligible to vote. Last November's poll produced no clear winner. With 15% of the votes counted, they have 62 out of 151 seats, followed by a Social Democrat-led four-party alliance, with 52 seats.
A Social Democrat-led four-party alliance is predicted to win about 60 out of 151 seats in parliament. A close result could force either group to seek the support of the centre-right Most (Bridge) party, analysts say.
The conservative HDZ party is tipped to be only a few seats behind. Some 3.8 million people were eligible to vote in the country's second election in less than a year.
That would leave both seeking support from the centre-right Most party - it was also the kingmaker after the last elections. Correspondents say a weak coalition would not have the clear mandate needed to introduce the tough reforms being demanded by the European Union.
The BBC 's Guy Delauney in Zagreb says that the rhetoric has turned ugly in the run-up to the election. A government formed in November and led by the HDZ collapsed in June over a conflict of interest scandal.
Our correspondent says that Croatia joined the European Union three years ago, but nationalism and neighbour-bashing have become a feature of the debate. The BBC 's Guy Delauney in Zagreb says the rhetoric turned ugly in the run-up to the election.
Our correspondent says that Croatia joined the EU three years ago, but nationalism and neighbour-bashing became a feature of the debate.
And memories of the Balkan Wars of the 1990s and World War Two have been stirred up as rivals try to bolster support and distract from domestic problems, our correspondent says.And memories of the Balkan Wars of the 1990s and World War Two have been stirred up as rivals try to bolster support and distract from domestic problems, our correspondent says.
Read more on Croatia
Almost a year of political deadlock has impeded urgently-needed economic reforms, with the economy relying heavily on tourism along the Adriatic coast.Almost a year of political deadlock has impeded urgently-needed economic reforms, with the economy relying heavily on tourism along the Adriatic coast.
Croatia remains one of the EU's mostly poorly performing economies despite recent positive developments linked to its EU membership.Croatia remains one of the EU's mostly poorly performing economies despite recent positive developments linked to its EU membership.
Read more on Croatia Short-lived coalition
Correspondents say a weak coalition would not have the clear mandate needed to introduce the tough reforms being demanded by the EU. The HDZ-led coalition was characterised by a shift to the right and growing antipathy towards the independent media and minorities, especially ethnic Serbs.
The HDZ party led a paralysed coalition government following the November vote, before collapsing in June as a result of a conflict of interest scandal.
The coalition's five-month rule was characterised by a shift to the right and growing antipathy towards the independent media and minorities, especially ethnic Serbs.
This triggered international concern. Strained ties with Serbia became even more difficult.This triggered international concern. Strained ties with Serbia became even more difficult.
The HDZ is running on its own this time, without any of the more extreme nationalist parties. Its new leader Andrej Plenkovic is a former career diplomat who has a reputation as a moderate with little time for nationalist causes.The HDZ is running on its own this time, without any of the more extreme nationalist parties. Its new leader Andrej Plenkovic is a former career diplomat who has a reputation as a moderate with little time for nationalist causes.
On the left, Zoran Milanovic is hoping to return to power with a coalition led by his Social Democrats. But his junior partners, the Croatian People's Party, are keen to steer him away from populism and back towards the sort of policies enacted during the four years when he was prime minister. On the left, Zoran Milanovic is hoping to return to power with a coalition led by his Social Democrats.
But his junior partners, the Croatian People's Party, are keen to steer him away from populism and back towards the sort of policies enacted during the four years when he was prime minister.