Zoran Milanovic Expected to Win Croatian Presidency

Incumbent Croatian President Zoran Milanović is poised for a significant re-election victory, with exit polls predicting he will receive 77.86% of the vote against his rival Dragan Primorac of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, who is expected to secure 22.14%. Approximately 3.8 million voters participated in the runoff election, with a turnout of 34.77% reported by the election commission. Milanović, a left-leaning populist, has faced frequent clashes with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on various policy issues. Despite the ceremonial nature of the presidency, he has been a vocal figure in Croatian politics and is known for his combative communication style. The election comes amid challenges such as inflation and corruption scandals, which have intensified the political landscape in Croatia. Milanović's previous term has been marked by criticisms of Western military involvement in Ukraine and ongoing disputes with the government over national policies.