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/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-16021016
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Croatia's opposition bloc on course for election win | Croatia's opposition bloc on course for election win |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The centre-left opposition is on course to win Croatia's parliamentary elections, partial results show. | The centre-left opposition is on course to win Croatia's parliamentary elections, partial results show. |
| With 70% of votes counted, the Kukuriku coalition is predicted to win 78 seats in the 151-seat parliament. | With 70% of votes counted, the Kukuriku coalition is predicted to win 78 seats in the 151-seat parliament. |
| The ruling conservative HDZ party is likely to win only 48 seats. It entered the poll beset by corruption scandals and a poor economy. | The ruling conservative HDZ party is likely to win only 48 seats. It entered the poll beset by corruption scandals and a poor economy. |
| "We will not let you down, I promise", said opposition leader Zoran Milanovic, as his victory seemed certain. | |
| "We may make mistakes, but we must not stand still," he told his supporters. "There will be no excuses." | "We may make mistakes, but we must not stand still," he told his supporters. "There will be no excuses." |
| The next government is expected to lead Croatia into the EU in 2013. | The next government is expected to lead Croatia into the EU in 2013. |
| The next government will have to push through a tough budget to avoid a downgrade in Croatia's credit rating, tackle rising unemployment and pursue the anti-corruption fight, says the BBC's Balkans correspondent Mark Lowen. | The next government will have to push through a tough budget to avoid a downgrade in Croatia's credit rating, tackle rising unemployment and pursue the anti-corruption fight, says the BBC's Balkans correspondent Mark Lowen. |
| The Kukuriku alliance, led by Mr Milanovic's Social Democrats, has promised austerity measures and steps to revive industry and attract foreign investment. | The Kukuriku alliance, led by Mr Milanovic's Social Democrats, has promised austerity measures and steps to revive industry and attract foreign investment. |
| Outgoing Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor has refused to approach the IMF for a loan, but Mr Milanovic says he would not rule it out as a "last resort". | Outgoing Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor has refused to approach the IMF for a loan, but Mr Milanovic says he would not rule it out as a "last resort". |
| The economy is struggling out of recession, with growth in 2011 estimated at 0.5%-1% as the European sovereign debt crisis undermines its recovery. | The economy is struggling out of recession, with growth in 2011 estimated at 0.5%-1% as the European sovereign debt crisis undermines its recovery. |
| Although the HDZ government has instigated an anti-corruption drive that has put party leader and former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader in court, a number of other officials have been implicated. | Although the HDZ government has instigated an anti-corruption drive that has put party leader and former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader in court, a number of other officials have been implicated. |
| As the results came in, Mr Kosor said the "HDZ remains firmly on its feet," adding the party would now "serve Croatians in the opposition as well". | As the results came in, Mr Kosor said the "HDZ remains firmly on its feet," adding the party would now "serve Croatians in the opposition as well". |
| The HDZ has been in government for 16 of the 20 years since Croatia became independent during the collapse of the former Yugoslavia in 1991. | The HDZ has been in government for 16 of the 20 years since Croatia became independent during the collapse of the former Yugoslavia in 1991. |
| Croatia is due to sign a European Union accession treaty next week that will allow it to formally join in 2013. | Croatia is due to sign a European Union accession treaty next week that will allow it to formally join in 2013. |