All major world agencies report on Sunday about the Croatian presidential elections, stating that of the 12 candidates, the social democrat Ivo Josipović should almost certainly enter the second round, along with Milan Bandić or Nadan Vidošević.
Reuters reports that the favorite of the first round is Josipović, the opposition candidate who promised to intensify the fight against corruption in Croatia, a candidate for entry into the European Union."Josipović, a new face in politics without a blemish in his career but also without charisma, will most likely face Milan Bandić, the powerful populist mayor of Zagreb recently expelled from the SDP, or Nadan Vidošević, a wealthy businessman and former member of the HDZ," Reuters states.
The candidate of the ruling HDZ, Andrija Hebrang, as Reuters adds citing polls, will not enter the second round, explaining that the reason for this is deep voter dissatisfaction with rising unemployment and low living standards. Reporting on the presidential elections in Croatia, the French news agency AFP states that the new Croatian president "will have the task of bringing into the European Union a country that has found itself on the brink of a severe economic crisis and is facing numerous high-level corruption scandals."
Citing polls, AFP lists Ivo Josipović as the favorite to enter the second round, adding that alongside him, Milan Bandić or Nadan Vidošević could also enter the second round. AP reports that 12 candidates are trying to replace President Stjepan Mesić, who helped overcome the nationalism promoted by his predecessor in the 1990s and turn the country towards the West, including joining NATO and preparing for EU membership. All leading candidates are pro-Western oriented and friendly towards the USA and are likely to support efforts for EU entry in 2011/2012, writes AP.
