Delo: 'The Final Account'

Ljubljana, 25 January - The Croatia we used to know is no longer here regardless of which one of the two favourites in the presidential election, populist Stipe Mesic or serious Drazen Budisa, becomes a new president, the daily Delo comments on Tuesday the first run of Croatia's presidential elections. Its strategic position, economic potential and a new democratic establishment will make Slovenia's southern neighbour take quick steps away from the Balkans and knock on the Europe's door. This, however, will only happen if the Croatian decision makers, the ruling coalition and the president manage to prove in a relatively short period of time that they are serious about the announced political and economic change.