PRELIMINARY RESULTS: SDP/HSLS COALITION IN LEAD IN 9 CONSTITUENCIES

ZAGREB, Jan 4 (Hina) - According to preliminary and unofficial election results, announced by the National Electoral Commission at 00.30am Tuesday, the Social Democratic Party/Croatian Social Liberal Party (SDP/HSLS) coalition is leading in nine out of ten constituencies. The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party is in the lead in one constituency - the fifth. The percentage of the vote won by the SDP/HSLS coalition ranges from 35.43 per cent in the ninth constituency to 51.13 per cent in the first electoral unit which is made up of Zagreb's centre. The HDZ roster was second in eight constituencies and the percentage of the vote won ranges from 20.53 per cent in the third constituency to 30.93 in the ninth electoral unit. #L# The 'Opposition Four' coalition list, which consists of the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Liberal Party (LS), Croatian People's Party (HNS) and the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) is second in the eighth constituency (Istria-Rijeka) with 36.69 per cent of the vote, whereas in nine other constituencies it is third, with the percentage of votes ranging from 9.23 per cent in the tenth constituency to 16.14 per cent in the second constituency. According to the preliminary unofficial results, the coalition of the Croatian Party of Rights/Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HSP/HKDU) has passed the election threshold of five per cent in five constituencies and the percentage won ranges from 5.54 per cent in the sixth constituency to 8.15 per cent in the fourth electoral unit. The Croatian Peasants' Popular Party (HSNS) passed the election threshold winning 5.24 per cent of the vote in the tenth constituency. A total of 35 parties, 15 coalitions, about 20 independent lists, and 30 minority candidates were running in the elections. The new composition of the Croatian National Sabor will have some 150 members. (hina) rml