ZAGREB, Croatia — During the initial round of Croatia’s presidential election held on Sunday, the current President Zoran Milanovic secured the highest percentage of votes but will need to compete in a runoff against a candidate from the ruling party to maintain his five-year term.
As the voting results neared completion, it was reported that the left-leaning Milanovic achieved approximately 49% of the vote, leaving his main rival, Dragan Primorac of the conservative HDZ party, significantly behind at 19%. Polls leading up to the election indicated that neither of the eight candidates was expected to surpass the crucial 50% threshold, predictably leading to a runoff on January 12.
Milanovic acknowledged his supporters but cautioned that this initial outcome was not the end of the race. He emphasized the importance of realism and readiness for further efforts, stating, “We must fight all over again. It’s not over till it’s over.”
The 58-year-old Milanovic is well-known for his controversial viewpoints, particularly his criticisms of Western military involvement in Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. His assertive communication style has drawn comparisons to former US President Donald Trump, especially in his interactions with political adversaries. Previously serving as prime minister, Milanovic remains one of Croatia’s most prominent political figures and is recognized for his sharp criticisms of the current Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovi?, with whom he frequently engages in political disagreements.
Plenkovi? has framed the presidential election as a referendum on Croatia’s alignment with the European Union and NATO, labeling Milanovic as “pro-Russian” and a potential risk to the country’s international reputation. He stated, “The difference between him and Milanovic is quite simple: Milanovic is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West.”
Though the role of the President in Croatia is predominantly ceremonial, the position carries significant influence and includes authority as the supreme commander of the military.
Milanovic has openly critiqued NATO and EU backing for Ukraine, advocating for Croatia’s neutrality in international conflicts, despite its memberships in both organizations. He has also stalled Croatia’s involvement in a NATO-led training mission for Ukraine, asserting, “No Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war.” Meanwhile, Primorac has championed Croatia’s alignment with Western interests, amid a backdrop of corruption scandals involving high-profile politicians, including the recent imprisonment of Croatia’s health minister.
During the campaign, Primorac attempted to present himself as a candidate focused on unity, in stark contrast to Milanovic’s more contentious approach. Despite the setback in the first round, Primorac remained optimistic, noting that while the vote difference appeared significant at first glance, the fragmentation of center-right votes across multiple conservative contenders had impacted results. “Now we have a great opportunity to face each other one on one and show who stands for what,” he asserted.
This presidential election marks Croatia’s third electoral event within a year, following the parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament elections in June.
