President Zoran Milanović, who was running for re-election, won the first round of the elections, but, contrary to previous predictions, he did not win more than half of the votes. In the second round, he will compete with the candidate of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Dragan Primorac. Eight candidates fought for the votes of almost four million Croatian voters.
According to preliminary results, Zoran Milanović was supposed to win over 50 percent in the first round. votes and secure another term now. However, after counting the votes, 99.25 percent local committees it turned out that he obtained 49.14 percent. votes – she announced on Sunday National Electoral Commission (DIP). Second place was taken by Primorac with 19.41%. votes.
Candidate supported by the ruling party Croatia won among voters voting abroad, where he won 48.69%. votes; Milanović won 17.09 percent outside the country.
Third place in the first round went to independent candidate Marija Selak Raspudić, who won 9.24 percent. votes, and in fourth place was Ivana Kekin from the left-wing WE! – 8.86 percent Independent candidate Tomislav Jonjić turned out to be fifth – 5.06 percent, sixth is the candidate of the right-wing Most Miro Bulj – 3.82 percent, and Branka Lozo from the House and National Assembly – 2.41 percent. and independent Niko Tokić Kartelo – 0.88 percent.
DIP reported that 46% of voters took part in the elections. Croatian citizens eligible to vote. There were 3,762,221 people registered in the electoral roll, of whom 3,512,226 lived in the Republic of Croatia and 249,995 were registered abroad.
Earlier on Sunday polls exit poll published by HRT and Nova television indicated that Milanović won 51.48% in the first round. votes.
Zoran Milanović cast his vote in the elections ANTONIO BAT/PAP/EPA
Who is Zoran Milanovic?
He has been president since 2020 Milanović previously headed the Croatian government (2011-2016) and the post-communist Social Democratic Party of Croatia (2007-2016). He is a lawyer by profession and gained professional experience, among others, in Brussels, working as a diplomat with the EU and NATO.
During his premiership, Croatia joined the European Union. In the last presidential elections, he defeated his predecessor Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović from the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in the second round.
At that time, Milanović presented himself as a modern and progressive candidate. During his presidency, however, he often used populist and pro-Kremlin rhetoric, calling pandemic lockdowns Austria “Nazi methods” or speaking out against the support provided to Kiev by Zagreb after the start of Russia invasion against Ukraine.
Who is Dragan Primorac?
Dragan Primorac, who will face Milanovic in the second round, is supported by the ruling center-right HDZ. He graduated and obtained a PhD from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zagreb. He is a specialist in pediatrics and medical genetics, a court expert and lecturer at domestic and foreign universities, and the winner of many international and domestic awards in the field of medicine.
Dragan Primorac casts his vote during the first round of the presidential elections in ZagrebEPA/STRINGER
The politician has been associated with HDZ for years – in 2003-09 he served as Minister of Education in two center-right governments of Ivo Sanader. In 2007, citizens considered him the best member of the government with the support of 31 percent. In 2009, he ran for president as an independent candidate, receiving less than 6 percent. votes.
Primorac announces a fight to restore greater culture in Croatian political discourse, and Croatian experts believe that his victory would harmonize the president's position with the government's policy.
Main photo source: ANTONIO BAT/PAP/EPA