Values or interests: Economic Determinants of Voting Behavior in the 2007 Croatian Parliamentary Elections
Values or interests: Economic Determinants of Voting Behavior in the 2007 Croatian Parliamentary Elections

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the importance of economic issues as determinants of voting behavior in Croatia in the 2007 parliamentary elections. It seeks to establish whether there is an electoral division between winners and losers of transition in Croatia and whether the voters’ positions on economic issues are mainly shaped by their political affiliation, rather than their position in the social structure. Drawing upon survey data from the 2007 elections, it is argued here that economic issues, notably the division between transitional winners and losers, do not play an important role in determining support for the two main political parties. The article also finds that the voters’ opinion on economic issues salient in recent elections and the voters’ evaluation of economic conditions are mostly structured by their affiliation to a particular political party. Finally, it concludes that economic issues are less relevant in structuring the voting behavior in Croatia than the ones related to culture and history, and that, unless a major realignment takes place, what voter’s think about economic issues could be largely conditioned by what parties they support say.

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