Zoran Milanovic Re-elected as Croatian President

Incumbent Croatian President Zoran Milanovic appears poised to secure a second term, leading with approximately 50.1% of the vote in preliminary results from the presidential election, significantly ahead of his main challenger, Dragan Primorac, who has garnered around 22.3%. Post-election polls indicate a stronger performance for Milanovic, suggesting he may exceed the 50% threshold necessary to avoid a runoff on January 12. Milanovic, representing the Social Democratic Party, has adopted a populist rhetoric, appealing to a broad spectrum of voters, while his presidency has been marked by controversial foreign policy stances, particularly regarding Ukraine. Critics have labeled him as pro-Russian due to his opposition to NATO’s military support for Ukraine and skepticism about Sweden and Finland's NATO membership. Although the presidential role is largely ceremonial, Milanovic holds formal authority over the armed forces and has previously clashed with the ruling coalition over various issues, including corruption and economic challenges facing Croatia. The election reflects a political landscape shaped by high inflation and labor shortages, with Milanovic’s leadership style positioned as a counterbalance to the dominant conservative government.