The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) won 59 seats in the 151-member assembly, according to the poll by Ipsos agency / © AFP
Croatia's ruling conservative party won the most seats in a parliamentary election Wednesday, according to an exit poll, but not enough to form a government as difficult talks loom in the coming days to gather a majority.
The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) won 59 seats in the 151-member assembly, according to the poll by Ipsos agency. In the previous 2020 vote, the HDZ won 66 seats.
A centre-left coalition led by the Social Democrats (SDP) won 43 seats, the survey showed.
They were followed by ultra-conservatives, a right-wing party and a green-left party, which all won between 13 and 10 seats each.
Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic is seeking a third term in office / © AFP
"The HDZ won more mandates than the rest altogether, which is an excellent result," outgoing vice prime minister Davor Bozinovic said.
But SDP vice-president Sinisa Hajdas Doncic argued that "looking at the results of the centre-left parties... Croatia has chosen a change".
Based on the exit poll results, analysts estimated no party looked set to triumph at this point.
"One seat can be decisive, it will be a very difficult negotiating process," political analyst Tihomir Cipek told Nova TV.
- High turnout -
Turnout was high after a bitter campaign between the incumbent conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and left-wing populist President Zoran Milanovic, who campaigned despite a court warning.
The showdown came as the European Union nation wrestles with corruption, a labour shortage, the highest inflation rate in the eurozone and illegal migration.
Left-wing populist President Zoran Milanovic made the shock announcement in March that he would become candidate for the Social Democrats / © AFP
By 1430 GMT, two and a half hours before polls closed, turnout was above 50 percent, the state electoral commission said.
This compared with 34 percent at the same time during the 2020 vote.
For months, Plenkovic and his HDZ seemed poised for an easy victory that would secure his third term as premier.
But in mid-March, Milanovic -- who tops political popularity surveys -- made the shock announcement that he would challenge Plenkovic and become candidate for the Social Democrats.
The Croatian presidency is a largely ceremonial office for a person without a political affiliation.
Calling Plenkovic the "godfather of crime" Milanovic, 57, highlighted the recent appointment of the country's new chief prosecutor, a judge with alleged ties to corruption suspects.
Corruption has long been the Achilles heel of the HDZ.
Several of Plenkovic's ministers have stepped down following accusations and the anti-graft fight was key to Croatia's bid to join the EU in 2013.
- 'Pro-Russian' -
Milanovic canvassed across Croatia despite the country's top court ruling that he could only stand in the election if he steps down as president first.
Turnout was high after a bitter campaign between Plenkovic and Milanovic / © AFP
Plenkovic -- who has served as premier since 2016 -- accused his rival of violating the constitution, engaging in hate speech and called him a "coward" for not resigning.
The prime minister stressed his role in guiding the country of 3.8 million people into the eurozone and Europe's passport-free Schengen area last year.
But with an average monthly wage of 1,240 euros ($1,345), the country remains one of the EU's poorest.
"The global security situation has never been more tense and more dangerous ... so we need to have very responsible people running Croatia in the next four years," Plenkovic, 54, said after voting in Zagreb.
Plenkovic has repeatedly accused Milanovic of being "pro-Russian" due to his criticism of EU backing for Ukraine against Russia's invasion and the president's opposition to training Ukrainian soldiers in Croatia, which is a NATO member.
Milanovic, who has condemned Russia's campaign in Ukraine, has argued that he was protecting Croatian interests and sought to prevent the country being "dragged into war".
The HDZ has ruled Croatia for most of the period since its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, while the SDP has been the opposition mainstay.
Milanovic, who served as prime minister from 2011 to 2016, is known for his fiery rhetoric and profanity in tirades against HDZ opponents, EU officials and his critics.
His mandate expires in January but he said he would step down if the SDP and its allies secure a majority to form a new government.
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