Is the Croatian diaspora losing interest in elections? Historic low turnout

(Photo: HINA/ Daniel KASAP/ Pool)

Voter turnout among Croatians abroad hit a record low in the runoff of the presidential elections this past weekend.

Just 8.5% of eligible voters outside Croatia exercised their right to vote, marking the lowest participation in history, Tportal reported.

Out of 251,170 registered voters living abroad, only 21,353 cast their ballots, a stark contrast to previous elections.

The majority, almost 14,000 eligible votes, came from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

There were 2,927 votes from Germany. In USA, only 136 eligible votes were counted, 218 in Australia and 161 in Canada. In Ireland, where a large number moved to after Croatia joined the EU, only 73 votes were recorded.

In Chile, where there is a large Croatian diaspora, just 25 votes came in.

This decline reflects ongoing challenges for diaspora voting, including limited polling stations and the often significant travel required to reach them.

Since a 2010 constitutional amendment, voting can only be done at diplomatic and consular offices, forcing many voters to undertake long journeys, sometimes in harsh winter conditions.

Declining Trends in Turnout

The drop in participation is part of a broader trend. In 2019, during the runoff between Zoran Milanović and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, over 51,500 voters turned out abroad.

This figure was significantly higher than this year’s turnout but still lower compared to 2009, when 113,183 voters participated in the runoff between Ivo Josipović and Milan Bandić.

Here’s a look at turnout in past presidential elections abroad:

• 2024: 21,353 votes (Zoran Milanović vs. Dragan Primorac)

• 2019: 51,533 votes (Zoran Milanović vs. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović)

• 2014: 37,028 votes (Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović vs. Ivo Josipović)

• 2009: 113,183 votes (Ivo Josipović vs. Milan Bandić)

• 2005: 101,017 votes (Stjepan Mesić vs. Jadranka Kosor)

• 2000: 69,692 votes (Stjepan Mesić vs. Dražen Budiša)

• 1997: 88,728 votes (Franjo Tuđman vs. Zdravko Tomac)

• 1992: 77,573 votes (Franjo Tuđman vs. multiple candidates).

Reasons Behind the Drop

The decline has been attributed to logistical hurdles and waning enthusiasm among diaspora voters. While Croatia has a long-standing tradition of robust participation from its diaspora, particularly among right-leaning voters, the high barriers to voting seem to have deterred many.

This year’s turnout was not only the lowest overall but also marked a record low for HDZ’s candidate, who traditionally enjoys strong support abroad.

The presidential election was one comfortably by incumbent Zoran Milanović who won over 75% of the vote.