(4 Dec 2011)
1. President of Social Democratic Party, Zoran Milanovic, and his wife walking to polling station
2. Milanovic registering with official at polling station
3. Milanovic putting ballot in box
4. SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Zoran Milanovic, Social Democratic Party (SDP) president and leader of centre-left coalition:
"We expect to win, as (does) everyone who competes for the confidence of the voters. I believe citizens will give us confidence and trust. These elections are all about trust. And that's it."
5. Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor walking to polling station with bunch of flowers
6. Kosor entering polling station, shaking hands with supporters
7. Kosor taking ballot and walking to polling booth
8. Kosor putting ballot in box
9. SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Jadranka Kosor, Croatian Prime Minister and Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) candidate:
"This is the moment that we decide our destiny. I believe Croatian citizens will elect those who will continue the fearless battle against corruption. Also those who will run the government once we become a member of the European Union."
10. President Ivo Josipovic entering polling station
11. Close-up of officials registering him to vote
12. Josipovic walking with ballot to voting booth
13. Josipovic leaving booth and placing ballot in box
14. SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Ivo Josipovic, Croatian President:
"Co-operation with the current government was sometimes bad, sometimes good. I hope that co-operation with the new government, no matter which colour it is, will be much better."
15. People preparing their ballot behind screens
16. Mid of woman dropping her ballot into box
17. Mid of woman handing her identification card to officials
18. Close-up of polling registrars checking list for woman's name
19. Mid of woman dropping her ballot into box
20. SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Mirna Knezevic, voter:
"I hope for the best. Let the best win."
(Q: what do you hope for?)
"A better future."
(Q: do you think it will come now after Sunday?)
"Yes, I believe things are going to get better, for everyone in Croatia."
21. Mid of registrars checking list as man waits to cast his vote
STORYLINE:
Croatians voted on Sunday in a parliamentary election expected to unseat long-dominant conservatives and empower a centre-left coalition just as the country prepares to join the European Union.
"These elections are all about trust. And that's it," Zoran Milanovic, the leader of the centre coalition, who has run a relatively low-key campaign, said after voting.
The winner will inherit a nation where social discontent is rising due to declining living standards and high unemployment - struggles that come amid the backdrop of a broader European economic crisis.
The vote for Croatia's 151-seat parliament pits the governing centre-right Croatian Democratic Union, or HDZ, against a coalition of left-leaning parties. The latter has led recent opinion polls.
Croatia is to sign an accession treaty with the EU next Friday. The country of 4.3 (m) million is on track to join the EU in July 2013 as the bloc's 28th member.
The conservatives have ruled Croatia since its 1990s war for independence from the former Yugoslavia, except for the 2001-2003 period, when the centre-left coalition took over.
But HDZ has been embroiled in corruption scandals, including alleged involvement in illegal fundraising for previous elections, which have diminished its popularity.
Its former leader and ex-prime minister Ivo Sanader is on trial for allegedly pocketing (m) millions in bribes before he abruptly resigned in 2009.
Complete results are likely on Monday or Tuesday.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Ещё видео!