Political uncertainty in Croatia as ruling party wins most seats but no majority

Croatian Democratic Union and second-placed Social Democratic party both hoping to form government

Croatia is heading for an extended period of political uncertainty after the ruling conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) emerged victorious in the parliamentary election, but with fewer seats than before and without a majority.

Led by Andrej Plenkovi, who has served two terms as prime minister, HDZ won 61 seats in the 151-seat assembly with the votes from 99.8% of polling stations counted, the state electoral commission said on Thursday, down from 66 seats in the previous parliament.