Political deadlock has delayed reforms that are necessary for Croatia to catch up with the rest of the EU. "The following months and years are truly decisive for Croatia, and today we have to be serious," Grabar Kitarovic said. HDZ and the Social Democrats have been the two dominant parties in Croatia since the country split from former Yugoslavia in 1991. The Social Democrats, led by former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, were in power for four years until last November. Advertisement Continue reading the main storyAlthough more advanced than other Balkan countries, Croatia has one of the weakest economies in the EU following years of crisis after the 1991-95 war.

Source: New York Times September 11, 2016 06:42 UTC