New PM
July 7, 2009
Croatia's parliament elected Jadranka Kosor as the nation's first female prime minister late on Monday.
The 56-year-old takes over after the sudden resignation of her predecessor, Ivo Sanader, on July 1, with the ruling coalition halfway through its four-year term.
Her immediate tasks will be to take action against the country's worst economic crisis in years and pump new life into stalled EU accession talks.
Croatia's bid for EU membership has been blocked by neighboring Slovenia after a border row.
Kosor was born in Pakrac, and studied in Zagreb where she graduated in law.
She is also a published poet and an award-winning journalist. She is fluent in English and has a working knowledge of German.
In spite of predecessor Sanader's unexpected resignation, Croatian analysts suggest that he will continue to rule from the sidelines.
Sanader is considered to be Kosor's mentor, the pair having been close allies for the last six years.
Author: td/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Clare Atkinson