Zoran Milanović, the incumbent President of Croatia, emerged as the front-runner in the first round of the presidential elections held on Sunday, December 29.
With all ballots counted, Milanović secured 49.09% of the vote, narrowly missing the majority needed to avoid a runoff. His closest rival, Dragan Primorac, a former Minister of Science and candidate of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, obtained 19.35%. The two will compete in a decisive second round scheduled for January 12.
“I will fight for Croatia,” Milanović declared following the results, reiterating, “I will fight for the rule of law.”
Milanović, a former prime minister known for his populist stance, has often clashed with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković over domestic and foreign policy. Despite the largely ceremonial role of the Croatian presidency, the office retains influence in areas such as defense, security, and foreign policy.
The incumbent has drawn attention for his controversial foreign policy positions, particularly his opposition to military support for Ukraine. In the fall, Milanović refused to approve Croatia’s participation in NATO’s initiative to aid Ukraine, citing potential risks to national interests.
The second-round showdown between Milanović and Primorac promises to further highlight these policy divides and set the tone for Croatia’s political trajectory.
