(Brussels 24 April, 2013) In June 2013, Croatia will join the EU as the 28th Member State – and the first elections for 12 Croat members of the European Parliament was held on the 14th of April last. These 12 first members will serve just over a year in the Parliament before the elections in June 2014. The number of Croat MEPs will decrease to 11 in 2014.
Turnout was very low, with just over 20.75% of the electorate showing up at the polls, where, for the first time, candidates were chosen by voters on an individual basis rather than vote for closed party lists. Despite this dismal showing, 50% of the seats were won by women and 50% by men. The EWL hopes that this parity, with greater turnout, will be replicated in the European Elections next year.
