Zoran Milanovic has been re-elected as Croatia’s president in a decisive landslide, winning nearly 75 per cent of the votes cast in the presidential election.
His opponent, Dragan Primorac, who was backed by the governing centre-right Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, garnered only 25 per cent of the vote—marking the worst performance in history for Croatia’s most influential political party.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic refrained from congratulating Milanovic, instead dismissing the re-elected president as offering “nothing.”
Milanovic, in turn, extended an olive branch, saying he would “offer a hand” to the prime minister despite their political differences.
The presidency in Croatia is largely ceremonial, with the role requiring the president to act as a non-partisan figurehead for all citizens.
However, Milanovic has frequently been a vocal critic of the governing HDZ, targeting the party on issues such as corruption, inflation, and healthcare.
While he condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Milanovic has also been outspoken in his criticism of the West’s military support for Kyiv, a stance that has sparked both domestic and international debate.
Before assuming the presidency, Milanovic served as Croatia’s prime minister from 2011 to 2016 and led the centre-left Social Democratic Party, SDP, from 2007 to 2016.
Last year, he controversially announced his intention to run for prime minister during the country’s parliamentary elections, a move deemed unconstitutional by the courts.
He responded by accusing the judiciary of being influenced by the HDZ, which he labeled a “gangster clique.”
The HDZ, which has dominated Croatian politics since the country’s independence over three decades ago, now faces significant challenges following Primorac’s crushing defeat.
The result reflects growing discontent with the party and its leadership under Prime Minister Plenkovic.
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