Croatia’s President Zoran Milanović defeated his conservative rival in Sunday’s run-off election, according to official figures.
Milanović won more than 74 per cent of the vote, whereas Dragan Primorac, supported by the HDZ party that governs Croatia, secured almost 26 per cent. This was the highest result since the country’s independence in 1991.
I see this victory as a recognition of my work in the last five years and a plebiscite message from Croatian people to those who should hear it.
The turnout for the election totalled 44 per cent. That was slightly lower than in the first round when Milanovic won more than 49 per cent, according to the commission.
Earlier on Sunday, after the vote in Zagreb, Milanović criticised Brussels as “in many ways autocratic and non-representative,” run by officials who were not elected. Meanwhile, Primorac, who returned to politics after a 15-year absence, championed Croatia as a unifier, insisting on patriotism and family values.
With my program, I wanted to send a clear message that Croatia can and deserves better.
Many Croats see the presidency as key to ensuring political balance by preventing one party from gaining all the power. Croatia has been governed by the HDZ for most of the time since independence.
Younger voters expressed frustration at the lack of discussion between political leaders on issues, such as housing or living standards for students, as well as a growing resentment over support for Ukraine at the expense of Croats.
