The U.S. media on Sunday carried news agencies' reports on Croatia's parliamentary elections, saying that the main task of a new government would be to overhaul the country's flagging economy before it joins the European Union in 2013.
"The winner also will inherit a nation where social discontent is rising due to declining living standards and high unemployment - struggles that come amid the backdrop of a broader European economic crisis," said the Washington Post.
The next government will have to act fast to trim state spending, create jobs and avert a potential credit rating downgrade, said the Baltimore Sun.
The daily also said that unemployment stood at 17.4 percent in October and thousands of employees work without pay. Lack of liquidity has paralysed many local businesses and overall foreign debt has surpassed 100 percent of gross domestic product, the daily said.
The Seattle Times said that Croatia, the next in line to become European Union's 28th member, will sign its Accession Treaty with the EU on Friday.
Many other U.S. dailies carried reports on Croatia's parliamentary election, as well as ABC News.
