Croatian presidential election, 1992

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First Presidential elections under new 1990 Constitution of the republic of Croatia, held 1992 by popular vote.

The Constitution was adopted in December 1990, but the elections could not be held due to escalating armed conflict between Croatian government and Krajina rebels, backed by Yugoslav federal army. Franjo Tuđman, who had been elected as Croatian President in May 1990 according to old Communist-era Constitution had assumed new constitutional duties in December 1990 until next elections.

When the elections were called, Croatia was internationally recognised, but roughly one of third of its territory was occupied by Krajina forces, while Croatia itself was involved in war raging in neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina. Few people, however, criticised the decision to call elections, because majority believed that newly independent country should have constitutionally elected government as quickly as possible.

Franjo Tuđman and his party entered campaign with great confidence, assuming that the Croatian would reward their role in achieving independence and international recognition. Tuđman's role in that process had been enhanced months before by continuous and not very subtle PR campaign in state-run media, often resembling personality cult in former Communist countries.

Despite that, at least three more candidates entered the race with similar levels of confidence. Savka Dabčević-Kučar tried to combine her image of moderate nationalist with the charisma of Croatian Spring leader, while her campaign - backed by lavish financial contributions of HNS wealthy supporters - revolved around incompetence of HDZ.

Dražen Budiša also tried to use his Croatian Spring charisma, as well as being much younger than Tuđman. He criticised Tuđman because of lowering Croatian democratic standards, as well as being too appeasing to Serbs and unwilling to end the occupation of Croatian territory and Bosnian War through radical military action.

Dobroslav Paraga was even more radical, accusing Tuđman of autocratic tendencies and betraying Bosnian Muslims, who were supposed to be "Croatian natural allies" in the struggle against Serbs. Paraga hoped that his right-wing radicalism, underlined with use of black uniforms and Ustasha iconography by the members of his Croatian Party of Rights, would find fertile ground among many Croatian voters affected by war.

Other four candidates entered campaign without much hope of winning and their campaigns were intended merely to give some name recognition to their parties on parliamentary elections.

The campaign was very heated, with Paraga's rallies having large attendnace and Tuđman being publicly booed on couple on occasions. Because of that many observers believed that the election is going to be close, with none of the candidates receiving more than 50 %.

To the surprise of many, Tuđman easily passed 50 % tresshold and won in the first round.

Like parliamentary election, this one was also marred by vote fraud allegations. Basis for them was discovery of couple of thousands of ballots - marked for Dobroslav Paraga and Ivan Cesar - in Zagreb dumpsters.

Total electors: 3,575,032 Voted: 2,677,764 (74.90%)

Invalid votes: 50,703 (1.89%)

Candidates: