Croatian independence referendum, 1991
Encyclopedia
An independence referendum
was held in Croatia
on 19 May 1991. The result was 95.7% in favour, with a turnout of 83.6%.
made the decision to hold the referendum on 2 May.
. Immediately afterwards, the Slovenian Ten-Day War
began, and both countries signed the Brijuni Agreement, agreeing to postpone the declaration for three months in order to calm tensions. However, the Croatian War of Independence
soon escalated.
Following an alternative and illegal set of referendums, the Republic of Serbian Krajina
was declared in the Serb-held areas of Croatia.
Independence referendum
An independence referendum is a type of referendum in which the citizens of a territory decide whether the territory should become an independent country. The independence referendum is considered successful if the citizens vote in favor of independence or unsuccessful if they do not...
was held in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
on 19 May 1991. The result was 95.7% in favour, with a turnout of 83.6%.
Background
The Croatian parliamentParliament of Croatia
The Parliament of Croatia or the Sabor is the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Croatia and legislature of the country. Under the terms of the Croatian Constitution, represents the people and is vested with the legislative power...
made the decision to hold the referendum on 2 May.
Results
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For independence | 2,845,521 | 95.7 |
| Against independence | 126,630 | 4.3 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 36,055 | – |
| Total | 3,008,206 | 100 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
Aftermath
Following the referendum the Croatian Parliament declared independence on 25 June 1991, the same day as SloveniaSlovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
. Immediately afterwards, the Slovenian Ten-Day War
Ten-Day War
The Ten-Day War or the Slovenian Independence War was a military conflict between the Slovenian Territorial Defence and the Yugoslav People's Army in 1991 following Slovenia's declaration of independence.-Background:...
began, and both countries signed the Brijuni Agreement, agreeing to postpone the declaration for three months in order to calm tensions. However, the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
soon escalated.
Following an alternative and illegal set of referendums, the Republic of Serbian Krajina
Republic of Serbian Krajina
The Republic of Serbian Krajina was a self-proclaimed Serb entity within Croatia. Established in 1991, it was not recognized internationally. It formally existed from 1991 to 1995, having been initiated a year earlier via smaller separatist regions. The name Krajina means "frontier"...
was declared in the Serb-held areas of Croatia.