Zoran Milanovic has successfully defended his presidency, defeating Dragan Primorac in a significant electoral win that highlights discontent with the ruling political party.
Zoran Milanovic Secures Second Term as Croatian President in Landslide Win
Zoran Milanovic Secures Second Term as Croatian President in Landslide Win
In Croatia’s recent presidential election, incumbent Zoran Milanovic garnered approximately 75% of the vote, securing his position for another term.
Voters in Croatia have decisively re-elected Zoran Milanovic, who overwhelmingly captured about three-quarters of the votes in the presidential elections, marking a notable triumph for the incumbent. The result came as a major setback for Dragan Primorac, who represented the ruling centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Primorac secured only 25% of the vote, which is historically the poorest performance for the HDZ, one of Croatia's dominant political forces since the country's independence over three decades ago.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's response to the election outcome was notably subdued; he refrained from congratulating Milanovic, expressing disdain for his rival by stating that "Milanovic offers nothing." Milanovic, however, extended an olive branch to the Prime Minister, indicating a willingness to collaborate despite their differences. Under Croatia's constitution, the president's role is largely ceremonial, requiring incumbents to rise above partisan politics and serve as the nation's figurehead.
Throughout his first term, Milanovic has been vocal in his critiques of the current government, addressing issues such as corruption, rising inflation, and the country's healthcare system. While he has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he has also voiced skepticism regarding Western military support for Kyiv.
Previously, Milanovic served as Prime Minister from 2011 to 2016 and led the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the same period. His foray into the parliamentary elections last year, in which he announced plans to run for prime minister, was curtailed by a court ruling that deemed his candidacy unconstitutional. Milanovic did not shy away from attacking the judiciary, alleging they were acting on behalf of the HDZ, which he referred to as a "gangster clique."
