Croats voted for a new president today, with an opposition candidate who promises to back the government's anti-corruption campaign, a vital part of the country's EU membership bid, seen better placed for victory.
Social Democrat Ivo Josipovic, 52, a law professor and composer who beat 11 candidates in the first round on December 27th, has held a solid lead in opinion polls over maverick Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic.
Both men support Croatia's aim to complete European Union entry talks this year and join the bloc around 2012.
Fighting corruption is a main requirement that Zagreb has to meet, as well as overhauling its judiciary and public administration.
The last published polls gave Mr Josipovic, a newcomer in high politics, 52 to 55 per cent of the vote, compared with up to 45 per cent for Mr Bandic, who is running as an independent after the Social Democrats expelled him for insisting on his candidacy.
Mr Bandic is overwhelmingly supported by expatriate Croats, traditionally more conservative, who can vote in Croatian elections and make up almost 10 per cent of the electorate.
The ruling conservative HDZ party's candidate did not make it to the runoff, but its leader and Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, who kick-started the new anti-graft drive, remains the country's most popular politician.
Mr Bandic has staged a late charge, winning support from the powerful Roman Catholic Church and war veterans, contrasting his image as a hard-working self-made man who is close to the people with Mr Josipovic's academic and relatively wealthy background.
"I have no doubt that Croatian people, the citizens of Croatia, will choose the best candidate," said Mr Bandic.
Voting ends at 6pm with exit polls due immediately afterwards and official results expected five hours later. Turnout by 11am was 12.6 per cent, higher than two weeks ago.
Reuters