Beating the mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandic, Mr Josipovic has pledged to lead an "uncompromising fight against corruption" and to help the government complete EU membership talks this year.

Correspondents say the result was expected, but the margin of victory even larger than polls had predicted.

Addressing his supporters in Zagreb on Sunday evening after the official results were announced, Mr. Josipovic said his victory was for "all honest people regardless of their voting preferences".

This is a victory which we can all celebrate because it is my deep belief that all of us want a better and more just Croatia, he said adding that he deeply believes that everybody wants to live in a country in which work is rewarded and crime punished, in a country of social security and justice.

The new president will be hoping to restore popular faith in politics, as well as steer Croatia towards calmer and cleaner waters

Croatians have been largely unenthused by this election, reflected by the low turnout of 50.3 percent slightly up on the first round.