Croatia: congratulations to HDZ on election victory

"I warmly congratulate our colleagues from the HDZ Party who lead the list that achieved a great result yesterday, winning the elections and gaining 6 out 12 seats", said Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP Group, commenting on yesterday's result in the first ever European Parliament elections in Croatia.

"As I said three days ago in Dubrovnik, Croatia has come a long way since its independence. It is hard to believe that not so long ago the country was still ravaged by war. Now it is about to enter the greatest club of democracies. It is only fitting that the party that has lead Croatia to independence is now symbolically leading it to the EU", continued Chairman Daul.

Daul also reflected on the very low turnout at these first European elections in Croatia.

"Those that lead have a great responsibility to make the case to their people why it is important to participate in the elections for Members of a House that will help decide nearly 80% of their laws. It is disappointing that an ill-advised decision on the date of the elections has considerably weakened the case. This low turnout has not done any favours for Croatia's credibility in Europe. I hope that next year when all Europeans go to the ballot boxes, we can improve this result together", concluded Joseph Daul MEP.