ZAGREB, Jan 2 (Hina) - Croatian voters on Sunday failed to elect a newhead of state and will have an opportunity to choose between theincumbent president Stjepan Mesic, who is supported by several leadingopposition parties, and
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) candidateJadranka Kosor in two weeks' time.
ZAGREB, Jan 2 (Hina) - Croatian voters on Sunday failed to elect a
new head of state and will have an opportunity to choose between the incumbent
president Stjepan Mesic, who is supported by several leading opposition
parties, and Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) candidate Jadranka Kosor in two
weeks' time.According to first partial results released by the State Election
Commission (DIP) at 23:30 hrs Sunday, Mesic won 49.03 percent of the vote,
while Kosor won around 20.18 percent.
A candidate had to win 50 percent plus one vote in order to win a
first-round victory. The second election round will be held on January 16. The
candidate who wins a majority of votes will be the next president.
According to DIP, a turnout at Sunday's elections was 50.95 percent, and
and so far returns have been processed from 99.06 percent of poling
stations.