IISES International Academic Conference, London

ELECTION LEGITIMACY – REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

DOROTHY MCCLELLAN

Abstract:

Looking back at thirty years since the founding of the sovereign Republic of Croatia, this presentation asks to what extent Croatia's electoral process has succeeded or failed in guaranteeing the democratic rights of citizens in a free, healthy, transparent, and productive society. Through frank, revealing interviews conducted with noted Croatian political and humanitarian leaders, legal experts and scholars, we examine whether the electoral process serves to select leaders who act in the best interests of the people or of politicians with deep roots in the country’s troubled communist past. Does the election law confront corruption, wrest control of the government from the hands of privileged elites, and result in policies that win public support and create a mandate that officials implement? Are political leaders and parties held accountable for their actions? Answers to these questions reveal the key role that electoral law plays in Croatia’s pursuit of its rightful destiny -- a democratic future.

Keywords: election law, election legitimacy, democratic elections, demography, emigration, voting rights