**Voters in Croatia are going to the polls to elect a successor to President Stipe Mesic, who is stepping down.**None of the 12 candidates is expected to get more than 50% of the vote needed to avoid a second round in January.
The latest opinion polls give the opposition Social Democrat (SDP) leader Ivo Josipovic the lead.
Reports suggest concern over corruption and the economy - key factors in the country’s ambitions to join the EU- will be foremost in voters’ minds.
Croatia joined Nato in April, but EU membership has been delayed by a border dispute with Slovenia dating back to the break-up of Yugoslavia.
Mr Josipovic, a relative newcomer, has had a career untarnished by corruption, but analysts say he could be seen as lacking the charisma needed to take office.
He is closely followed in the opinion polls by the independent mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandic, and wealthy businessman and head of the Chamber of Commerce, Nadan Vidosevi.
Voting closes at 1900 local time (1800 GMT) with official results expected by the end of the day.
Croat living in neighbouring Bosnia are also entitled to vote.
The Croatian presidency is a largely ceremonial role. The president has a say in foreign policy, security and defence but no power to veto legislation.
Mr Mesic is stepping down in February after serving two five-year terms.