April 1997 Parliamentary, County and Municipal Elections in Croatia

摘要

On April 13, 1997, Croatia held its fifth set of elections since politicalpluralism was introduced in the former Yugoslav republic in 1989, and the fourth since achieving independent statehood in 1991. These were the first elections, however, held throughout the entire country in 7 years, signaling Croatia's normalization after years of conflict, displacement and uncertainty. The results countrywide set the stage for presidential elections later in the year, and indicate Croatia's overall political trends as the country moves beyond the turmoil associated with Yugoslavia's violent disintegration, including the massive displacement of the population as territory was taken in 1991 and then retaken in 1995. The turmoil served to narrrow the country's overall political spectrum with a nationalist tinge, and the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has relied on this situation to enhance its power.