RS21703 -- Croatia: 2003 Elections and New Government
January 6, 2004

	Introduction

The November 2003 elections were Croatia's fourth parliamentary contest since the country became independent in 1991. In the lastvote of January 2000, a coalition of center-left parties soundly defeated the incumbent Croatian Democratic Union(HDZ)government, weeks after the death of Franjo Tudjman, the longstanding leader of the HDZ and President of thecountry. Top partner prospects appeared to be thePeasant Party (HSS), part of the outgoing coalition, and the right-wing Party of Rights (HSP). In December, Prime Minister-designate Sanader announced that he had secured enough votes to support a minority government. The Sanader government mayhave to grant concessions on a regular basis in exchange for parliamentary support from small parties and individualdeputies.
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. TheHDZ haddominated Croatia's political scene from 1990 until its defeat in the 2000 elections. Ivo Sanader, who succeededTudjman as HDZparty leader and refashioned the party along more moderate, less nationalistic lines, became Prime Minister of aminoritygovernment in December 2003. The Sanader government will likely face significant domestic challenges as wellas closeinternational scrutiny over its performance in a number of issue areas. This report analyzes the elections and keyissues facing thenew government. It will not be updated. For additional information, see also CRS Report RL32136, Futureof the Balkans and U.S.Policy Concerns.