Croatia: 2003 Elections and New Government (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Jan. 6, 2004 |
| Report Number |
RS21703 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Julie Kim, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In parliamentary elections held on November 23, 2003, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ),
a
right-wing party of the late former wartime President Franjo Tudjman, won a plurality of the vote.
The HDZ had dominated Croatia's political scene from 1990 until its defeat in the 2000 elections.
Ivo Sanader, who succeeded Tudjman as HDZ party leader and refashioned the party along more
moderate, less nationalistic lines, became Prime Minister of a minority government in December
2003. The Sanader government will likely face significant domestic challenges as well as close
international scrutiny over its performance in a number of issue areas. This report analyzes the
elections and key issues facing the new government. It will not be updated. For additional
information, see also CRS Report RL32136 , Future of the Balkans and U.S. Policy
Concerns .
