Presidentskandidaat met anti-corrputie programma wint verkiezingen in Kroatië (en)
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Social Democrat law professor and classical music composer Ivo Josipovic won Croatia's presidential elections on Sunday (10 January), pledging to back the centre-right government's efforts against corruption on the path to EU i accession.
Mr Josipovic won the vote by a sweeping 60.2 percent against his populist rival, Milan Bandic, according to official results out on Monday. The former chairman of the Croatian composers' society compared the event to a "victorious symphony."
Despite being from rival political camps, Mr Josipovic promised to back the centre-right Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor's drive to implement reforms and fight corruption, as required by Brussels to complete EU accession talks.
"I strongly believe that we all want a better Croatia with more justice, that we want a country where work is paid for and crime is punished," he said.
The former Yougoslav country has a poor record in fighting graft and organised crime, but the recently appointed premier has jumpstarted a series of reforms and launched fresh investigations into state-run firms. Over a dozen officials have already been detained, AFP reports.
As a result, Ms Kosor has collided with the establishment in her own party, the Croation Democratic Union (HDZ). Eight days ago, she mas forced to block a come-back bid by the former premier Ivo Sanader, broadly seen as an attempt to put the brakes on her actions.
"I believe Mr Josipovic will support the government's efforts and that we'll co-operate well for the well-being of all our citizens," Ms Kosor said on Monday, Reuters reports.
Ms Kosor's alliance with Mr Josipovic, who has an untarnished record, could help create a critical mass in both parties to crack down on vested interests.
In contrast, Mr Josipovic's rival in the election, the populist Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic, had faced corruption allegations of his own.
Most of the executive power lies with the Prime Minister, especially on the economic front, where the country is struggling with recession and soaring unemployment. The head of state is nevertheless the chief of the armed forces and has a great deal of influence in foreign policy.
The outgoing popular centrist President Stjepan Mesic, who put Croatia on the path to EU membership, is to exit the political arena in February after the end of his second five-year term.
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