Croatia's 'Trump' heads to run‑off in presidential showdown
In the initial round of the presidential elections in Croatia, Zoran Milanović, often dubbed "the Croatian Trump," and the incumbent president, secured the highest number of votes at 49.1%. In the forthcoming second round, he will compete against Dragan Primorac, the ruling party candidate.
With results from 99.9% of the electoral commissions announced, Zoran Milanović received 49.1% of the votes. In second place is Dragan Primorac, who secured 19.41% of the votes. The two candidates will face off in the decisive round on Sunday, 12 January.
Milanović, the current president of Croatia seeking re-election, pledged in his speech yesterday to shape a "a Croatia with an attitude, a Croatia that takes care of its interests and is aware that only we care about what is happening in our country."
"During his five-year term that expires on Feb. 18, Milanovic, a former prime minister, has clashed with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic over foreign and public policy and has fiercely criticised the European Union and NATO over their support for Ukraine," writes Reuters. Although, as prime minister, he played a part in Croatia joining the EU and was recognised as a progressive politician, in recent years his populist and pro-Kremlin rhetoric has earned him the nickname "the Croatian Trump."
Who will Milanović face in the second round?
Dragan Primorac is the candidate of the HDZ, the centre-right ruling party in Croatia, led by Andrej Plenković. "Croatian experts believe that his victory would align the president's position with the government's policy," notes TVN 24. However, Ivan Grdešić, a political science professor from the University of Zagreb, believes that Primorac "is not charismatic enough" to "have a larger appeal to people."
However, Croatian citizens have further reasons for dissatisfaction with the HDZ candidate, such as the scandal involving Health Minister Vili Beroš, who was arrested on corruption charges. He is one of 30 ministers who lost their position due to similar accusations.
The third elections in Croatia this year
Independent candidate Marija Selak Raspudić came third in the elections, securing 9.24% of the votes, followed by Ivana Kekin from the left-wing party We Can! with 8.86%. Other candidates received the following percentages of votes: independent Tomislav Jonjić - 5.06%, right-wing Most candidate Miro Bulj - 3.82%, Branka Lozo from the House and National Assembly - 2.41%, and independent Niko Tokić Kartelo - 0.88%.
The role of the president of Croatia is largely symbolic. While the president cannot veto laws, they hold influence over foreign policy, defence, and security issues.
"Sunday’s presidential election was Croatia’s third vote this year, following a snap parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament election in June," recalls Politico.
