Croatia will become the 28th member of the European Union on 1 July. Elections to the European Parliament (EP) were held in advance of the country’s accession.

Currently, the government is a coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Croatian People’s Party – Liberal Democrats (HNS), and the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS). This government replaced the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) administration in December 2011.

The election was mainly notable for the low turnout, just 20.84%. Apparently, only one other EP election anywhere has had a lower turnout rate at any time. The low turnout was all the more surprising given it was the first ever EP election.

Apart from a low turnout, there was a large number of lists competing for Croatia’s 12 EP seats – no fewer than 28. The results are available here. The opposition HDZ list won 33.9% of the votes cast and six seats. The SDP-led list won 32.1% and five seats. The final seat was won by the Croatian Labourists – Labour Party, which won 5.8% of the vote. No other party won more than 4%.

Croatia will hold EP elections again in 2014 at the same time as all EU member state countries.