The Opposition Social Democrat candidate Ivo Josipovic has been elected as the next President of Croatia with more than 60 per cent of the total vote. He beat the Mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandic who was supported by the more right-wing elements of society. Two very different personal styles fought this election: on the one hand, Josipovic, the academic, softly-spoken progressive candidate, on the other, the politically experienced and populist Bandic. President Josipovic is a professor of law and composer of classical music. He is now in charge of composing the symphony that will lead his county to EU accession.
Josipovic’s victory is a timely one for the country. Croatia has recently been plagued by a series of corruption incidents. One of the main themes of his discourse was the pledge to lead a decisive role in the fight against corruption. Following the incidents of mismanagement of EU funds exposed in Bulgaria and Romania, the fight against corruption is decisive for Croatia’s accession to the EU. The President will thus have to restore faith in politics and also work with the government to tackle financial problems that are weighing on the economy.
Thus, at the time when Croatian EU accession is under negotiation, Croatians have elected the candidate who seems most likely to boost the country’s image as a progressive regional player in the Balkans rather than a state that is plunged in nationalistic politics.
Josipovic’s victory has a positive normative impact for the Balkans too. It signals both within and beyond Croatia that corruption is a recognised problem that must be tackled. Furthermore, although corruption is endemic in Balkan societies, the choice of Josipovic suggests that Croatian citizens are now determined to stamp it out. His election also demonstrates that polite, low- profile academic candidates can succeed in a region where hardline nationalistic macho-style politics has traditionally been the norm.
Last but not least, Josipovic’s election adds another string to the bow of recent Social Democrat victories, following those in Portugal, Greece and Norway. It would appear that social democracy is putting together quite a talented orchestra on the periphery of Europe.
#1 by David Harpe on January 24, 2010 - 10:18 pm
I guess that would be almost as amazing as Dennis Kucinich winning a Presidential election here. Americans seem to prefer macho over brains. That gets us into a lot of trouble.
#2 by Jean-Baptiste Perrin on January 25, 2010 - 11:04 am
Well, you guys got Obama after Bush (and before him Clinton). Both Barrack and Bill, unlike Georges W. are no simpletons. And to balance this a bit, the Republican side also had some interesting minds, like Bush father. What I find more concerning about the USA, is not so much the political personel (ok, Sarah Palin apart), but the system itself. The Constitutional and legal system is twisted for manicheism and not for subtelty.
#3 by skalich on January 25, 2010 - 3:49 pm
@David Harpe the funniest thing is Kucinich is of Croatian decent
#4 by Desmond O'Toole on January 26, 2010 - 12:02 pm
Interesting article, Vasilis, particularly your observations on corruption and machismo in Balkan politics. We’re also delighted that Croatia has elected a Social Democrat to lead them into the European Union.
Just one question, the current Croatian government is of course from the right-wing. How do you feel that the presidiencey and the government can successfully “cohabit” given that they represent two very different political pespectives?
Desmond O’Toole
PES activists Dublin (personal capacity).
#5 by David Harpe on January 27, 2010 - 4:39 am
To Jean-Baptiste Perrin
I just wish we had more like Carter, Clinton, and Obama, and fewer like Reagan and W, who were clueless, and LBJ and Nixon, who were intelligent enough, but very crooked. Our system does seem to be geared to 5 second sound bytes, but smarter people can get around that through the internet. We need more people like that. I am not sure we are safe from Sarah Palin in 2012.
#6 by Marcel on March 5, 2010 - 1:53 pm
@5
Carter was an utter nincompoop, who not only mismanaged the domestic affairs, but mismanaged the foreign affairs as well. No one bears more blame for allowing the clerical takeover of Iran than Carter does. And Reagan was one of the best presidents ever. You’ve been drinking too much of crazy-eyed leftist kool-aid.