Elections in Croatia for the House of Counties of the Sabor
Elections in Croatia for the House of Counties of the Sabor

Summary/Abstract: In the first part of the article the author analyzes the type of electoral system used to elect members of the House of Counties in the Sabor, its essential determinants and political effects. The proportional electoral system did not produce the political effects expected from it. Proportional elections in small constituencies returning three members, like the ones in Croatia for the election of members to the House of Counties, lead to the representation goal of plurality elections. Proportionality is incomplete and differences occur between the participation of votes and weight of votes in relation to seats. This works to the detriment of small parties. The proportional electoral system with three seats considerably Favours large political parties.<BR>In the second part of the article the author analyzes the results of the elections for the House of Counties. They showed that although the Croatian Democratic Union is still the leading and dominant political force with an absolute parliamentary majority, it is no longer the only party with political power. In these elections the Croatian Social Liberal Party and the Croatian Peasant Party affirmed themselves as political parties with a clearly presented party position and political strength. The election results show a tendency of concentration in the party system in which there will be room for four to five political parties.<BR> In the third part of the article the author presents the role of the House of Counties as a kind of supervisory Sabor body, but also a body through which are expressed not only party and political, but especially regional interests and the specific features of individual counties.

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