The coalition led by the strongest opposition party -- the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) -- won 41.43% of the vote cast by Croatians during the elections for the European Parliament on Sunday, which means the coalition won a total of six seats in the European Parliament, while the eight-party coalition Alliance for Croatia, led by the Croatian Democratic Alliance of Slavonia and Baranja (HDSSB) did not win a seat as it generated only 6.88% of the vote, according to returns from 99.94% of polling stations.
Shortly before 7am, the State Election Commission (DIP) announced that it had processed 99.94% of the polling stations.
According to preliminary results, the ruling coalition led by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won 29.96% of the votes, the Sustainable Development of Croatia (ORaH), led by former SDP official Mirela Holly, follows with 9.41% while the Alliance for Croatia with 6.88% of the votes, did not manage to win a seat in the European Parliament.
Croatian deputies who won seats in the European parliament are Andrej Plenkovic, Dubravka Suica, Ivana Maletic, Davor Stier, all of the HDZ, Ruza Tomasic of the Croatian Party of Rights Dr Ante Starcevic (HSP AS), Marijana Petir of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS), Tonino Picula and Biljana Borzanm both ofthe SDP, Ivan Jakovcic of the Istrian Democratic Party, Jozo Rados of the Croatian People's Party and Davor Skrlec of ORaH.
According to DIP, the turnout in Croatia was 25.25%, namely of a total of 3,765,569 people with the right to vote, 950,736 cast their ballots.
The election campaign lasted 47 days, but has been almost "invisible" to the public. It was further pushed into the background by extreme floods that hit eastern Croatia last week, threatening about 30,000 people.
The election has been estimated to cost Croatia about 60 million kuna.
