Croatia votes in popularity test for the long-ruling HDZ

Croats cast their votes in a parliamentary vote that will test the popularity of Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his ruling conservative HDZ party, accused by opponents of corruption and nepotism

Croats cast their votes on April 17 in a parliamentary vote that will test the popularity of Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his ruling conservative HDZ party, accused by opponents of corruption and nepotism.

The HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) hopes to ride on the long-term support it has for overseeing Croatia's accession to the European Union, the introduction of the euro and a boom in tourists visiting the country's Adriatic coastline.

But many have grown tired of HDZ, which has dominated politics since Croatia's independence from a crumbling federal Yugoslavia in 1991.

Analysts say its many graft scandals, including Plenkovic's appointment of a state attorney known for links with people involved in corrupt dealings, may dent its majority. Plenkovic denies wrongdoing.

The streets of the capital, Zagreb, were quiet on Wednesday as voters lined up to cast their ballots on a national holiday.

"We would like to see politicians work in the interest of the people; that is what we elect them for. Nothing like in the past 30 years," said pensioner Biserka Kolaric, who voted in Zagreb.

Some 3.7 million voters will choose between more than 2,000 candidates. Exit polls are expected minutes after voting closes at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT). Official results are expected in the following days.