The elections delivered a surprisingly strong position to the political party 'Most' (bridge), which both the right wing Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and leftist Social Democratic Party (SDP) are now courting in order to form a governing coalition.
On Monday Croatia's national broadcaster HRT reported the unofficial result of the election, after 99.72 percent of ballot papers had been counted. The so-called 'Domoljubna koalicija,' (patriotic coalition) comprising the right wing HDZ party and four other smaller parties has won the most parliamentary seats, 59, and are claiming election victory. This number includes all three seats voted for by members of the Croatian diaspora.
The performance of the political party Most (bridge) was surprisingly strong; it took part in elections for the first time since it was formed in late 2012, and according to the unofficial result has won 19 seats.
Regional parties have won nine seats in parliament, and eight seats have been earmarked for representatives of national minorities.
The full name of the new party is 'Most Nezavisnih Lista,' (Bridge of Independent Papers) a political platform which aims to represent citizens who had never been politically active before. On Sunday evening, Most leader Bozo Petrov thanked voters and promised to work on their behalf.
"You have the right to demand that politicians relinquish their politicking, that they subordinate their interests to the public interest," said Petrov.
"We won't betray your faith, today is the ideal time for a big change. I believe and hope that all politicians have taken note that we want to build a better Croatia," the 36-year-old psychiatrist declared.
As a result of Most's unexpected success, and their failure to gain an outright parliamentary majority, both main parties, HDZ on the right, and the SDP on the left, are seeking to agree to terms which would allow them to create a coalition government with Most.
Reci cu samo"Like a bridge over troubled water" #izboriHR #izbori2015
— Tonka Mandic (@maraTonka) 8 ноября 2015
'I'll just say, "Like a bridge over troubled water.'
Ako budu držali Hrvatsku stabilnom kao ovaj mladić pivo na glavi bit će nam super. #izboriHR #izbori2015 pic.twitter.com/LQ7R37qENO
— Mislav Ćuk (@MissLoveChook) 8 ноября 2015
'If they can keep Croatia stable like this young guy with the beer on his head, things will be super.'
The election took place against a background of voter disenchantment: in a summer survey, 68 percent of respondents said they believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, while only 23 percent said Croatia is on the right path; nine percent didn't know which way to turn.
The outgoing SDP-led coalition has been criticized for inaction and lack of economic growth during its term of office, which began in 2011. The government came to power promising to fight the corruption which had dogged the previous HDZ government.
In addition, the current government has been criticized for its handling of the migrant crisis, and is facing tough questions over its preparation for the flow of hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants who began arriving in Croatia in mid-September, after Hungary started to restrict border crossings.
