Croatia's conservatives claim victory in general vote

Croatia's conservative opposition claimed victory Sunday against the ruling center-left coalition in the Balkan country's first parliamentary election since joining the European Union in 2013 — held amid deep economic woes and a massive migrant surge.

The state electoral commission said Sunday that with about 70 percent of the vote counted, the conservatives, led by former intelligence chief Tomislav Karamarko, won 61 seats in the 151-seat parliament, while Social Democrats, led by incumbent Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, had 53.

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The result means both blocs have failed to win an outright majority in Sunday's vote and the forming of the new government will depend on several small parties that entered parliament. The kingmaker could be the third-placed party, Most, or Bridge, with a projected 19 seats.

"We have won," Karamarko said. "The party which has won the most number of votes must lead Croatia in the future," he added with his supporters chanting "Victory, Victory."

However, Milanovic called on Most, the newly-formed group of citizens without clear political stands, to start talks on a new coalition.

"Croatia has decided for a change," Milanovic said. "We cannot do it alone."

Supporters of the Most party celebrate after the announcement of preliminary election results in Zagreb on Sunday. Early results projected 19 seats for the party, making it likely they will play a key role in coalition negotiations. (AFP/Getty Images)

Upstart Most party in 3rd place

Bozo Petrov, Most's leader, said his party would support a future government only if it went ahead with reforms of the judiciary and public administration, and would seek to improve the business environment.

"For each of those reforms we would set deadlines and if deadlines were not met, we would demand a parliamentary no-confidence vote. We know that, as things stand now, we control the majority in the parliament," he told national broadcaster HRT.

"A new election is much cheaper than an incapable government," he said.

A Croatian police officer directs a group of migrants while they board a train on the way to Slovenia within a temporary camp in Slavonski Brod, Croatia on Wednesday, Nov. 4. (Manu Brabo/AP)

Migrant crisis key voter issue

The vote's outcome could disrupt the flow of migrants crossing the small country if the conservatives form the government and return to power and carry out pledges to implement tough measures against the surge. Since September, Croatia has seen an influx of more than 330,000 people fleeing war and poverty and seeking a better life in wealthier EU states such as Germany.

The conservatives have criticized Milanovic's government for allowing a free flow of migrants and have hinted they would build fences and deploy the army to the border to stop the flow.

"Our election campaign was very passionate. Unfortunately, it has been marked by the migrant crisis as well as by hate speech and hate mongering of the (conservative) backers," Milanovic said as he cast his ballot.

A child looks at a ballot being cast at a polling station in Zagreb on Sunday. (Darko Bandic/AP)

Conservative revival with Karamarko's win

Sunday's vote represented a revival for Karamarko's conservative Croatian Democratic Union party, which led Croatia during its war for independence from the Serb-led Yugoslavia in the 1990s and then dominated its political scene for years. Its popularity plummeted after a series of corruption trials against top officials.

Karamarko campaigned on patriotism and creating new jobs, while Milanovic promised economic revival and warned against allowing Croatia to return to its conservative past.