Croatian President Zoran Milanović has secured a second term after winning the presidential election held yesterday with over 74 percent of the vote. Milanović, from the opposition Social Democratic Party, defeated Dragan Primorac of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, who received 26 percent.
In his victory speech, Milanović stated that the win signifies voter approval and confidence, as well as a message about the country’s situation “for those who need to hear it.” He urged the government to heed this message, emphasizing that the support is not just for him personally. Although the presidency in Croatia is largely ceremonial, Milanović’s victory poses a setback for Prime Minister Plenković, with whom he clashed during his first term.
Milanović frequently accuses Plenković and his conservative party of corruption, while the Prime Minister describes Milanović as “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international reputation. Milanović, 58, is sometimes compared to incoming U.S. president Donald Trump for his combative communication style with political opponents.
He is a critic of both the European Union and NATO, recently labeling the EU as “undemocratic in many respects.” In the initial voting round on December 29, Milanović narrowly missed securing an outright win, necessitating the second round.
Source: NOS