Croatia’s presidential runoff election was held on Sunday, with incumbent Zoran Milanovic, a former prime minister and member of the Social Democratic Party, ahead of challenger Dragan Primorac of the ruling Croatia’s Democratic Union (HDZ). Opinion polls before the vote indicated Milanovic would win in a landslide.
Polling stations are open from 0600 GMT and will close at 1800 GMT. Exit polls will be released shortly after, with preliminary results due by 1900 GMT. Full official results will be announced in the following days. Around 3.8 million citizens are registered to vote in this election, which is for a largely ceremonial role within the Croatian government.
As of 1030 GMT, voter turnout was 13.8%, according to the state election commission. In the first round of voting, held two weeks ago, Milanovic received 49.1% of the vote, while Primorac secured 19.35%. An opinion poll conducted by Nova TV Daily News on Friday showed Milanovic with 67.4% support, while Primorac had less than 27%.
Milanovic said after casting his ballot in Zagreb that he was confident to be re-elected. “I did my job in the best faith in the past five years, and I hope people have seen that,” he told reporters. The post of Croatian president carries no veto power but offers influence over foreign policy, defense, and security matters.
Primorac, a former science teacher, also voted in Zagreb and said the election was important for Croatian citizens. “The only decision-makers will be the citizens of Croatia,” he said.
The presidential race between Milanovic and Primorac reflects deep political divisions, with Milanovic often clashing with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic over policies, including foreign and public issues.
