Zoran Milanovic Secures Second Term as Croatian President

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has been re-elected with an overwhelming majority, defeating Dragan Primorac, the candidate from the ruling HDZ party. His victory highlights ongoing tensions within Croatia's political landscape, emphasizing Milanovic's critical stance on the government's performance.

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has achieved a resounding victory, re-elected for a second term in the presidential election after securing nearly 75% of the votes. This outcome marks a challenging moment for his opponent, Dragan Primorac, who is affiliated with the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party, as he only managed to capture 25% of the vote—the lowest ever for the HDZ since Croatia's independence.

In light of Milanovic's triumph, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's reaction was notably restrained. He refrained from congratulating the president-elect and commented that "Milanovic offers nothing," reflecting the tensions between the two political factions. Despite their differences, Milanovic expressed a willingness to collaborate with Plenkovic, stating he would "offer a hand" to the prime minister.

Under Croatia's constitution, the presidency plays a largely ceremonial role, with the expectation that the president should represent all citizens rather than a specific political party. Milanovic, who has served as a vocal critic of the current government's handling of various issues such as corruption, inflation, and healthcare, has also positioned himself as a complex figure on international matters. Although he condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he has frequently voiced skepticism regarding Western military support for Ukraine.

Before assuming the presidency, Milanovic held the office of prime minister from 2011 to 2016 and led the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SDP) during that same period. His bold political maneuvers, including an attempt to run for prime minister last year that was ruled unconstitutional, have fueled disputes within the political arena, prompting him to label judges as working for the "gangster clique" of the HDZ.

The HDZ has maintained a dominant foothold in Croatian politics since the country gained independence over three decades ago, yet Milanovic’s re-election underscores an ongoing political divide and challenges ahead for Croatia's governance.