Croatian President Stipe Mesic has announced the postponement of his country's presidential election from December 21 until January 2.
The president made the announcement in an interview with the Croatian news agency (HINA), but gave no specific reason for the postponement.
Critics of the December date had said holding the election on a weekday, and declaring it a holiday, would have proved too costly for businesses.
President Mesic is seeking a second term. Deputy Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union is considered the president's chief rival.
Some information for this story provided by AFP.