Croatian president re-elected
Stipe Mesic has won a huge majority in the second round of presidential elections in Croatia.
The current liberal president – a forerunner throughout the elections - won 66% of the votes, as opposed to 34% by his centre-right competitor Jadranka Kosor.
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During the campaign, both candidates had been proclaiming their aim to bring the country of 4.3 million to the EU, and end the isolation caused by the authoritarian ex-president, Franjo Tudjman, in the 1990s.
Mr Mesic (70), believes Croatia is now "standing at the doorstep of Europe", as quoted by the BBC.
Formal EU membership negotiations are due to start on 17 March.
A former prime minister and well-known actor on the international scene, Mr Mesic will continue in power with the center-right government of Ivo Sanader.