Croatia to elect president on Sunday: What the polls are saying

The presidential candidates line up for the debate: (Photo: HINA/ POOL/ Damir SENČAR/ ds)

27 December 2024 (Hina/Croatia Week) – This Sunday, 29th December, Croatian citizens will cast their votes to determine whether Zoran Milanović secures a second term or if a new face will take the country’s presidency.

A total of 3,762,221 registered voters, including those abroad, are eligible to participate, according to the Ministry of Justice, Administration, and Digital Transformation.

The Candidates

Eight candidates are in the running for the presidency:

Miro Bulj (Most)
Tomislav Jonjić (Independent)
Ivana Kekin (Možemo)
Branka Lozo (Domino)
Zoran Milanović (SDP and partners)
Dragan Primorac (HDZ and partners)
Marija Selak Raspudić (Independent)
Niko Tokić Kartelo (Independent)

The presidential candidates are the oldest group in the last three election cycles, with an average age of nearly 54.5 years—eight years older than the average age a decade ago. The youngest candidate is Ivana Kekin (39), and the oldest is Branka Lozo (62).

Polling

The latest RTL poll indicates that incumbent president Zoran Milanović is leading with 39.3%, followed by Dragan Primorac at 24.3% and Marija Selak Raspudić with 10%.

Ivana Kekin stands at 8.1%, while Miro Bulj is at 3.8%.

Voting will take place not only within Croatia but also abroad, with polling stations set up in 38 countries. There are 105 stations worldwide, with the largest number in Bosnia and Herzegovina (42) and Germany (17).

Other countries with polling locations include Australia, the United States, Serbia, and Italy, among others.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a key area for Croatian voters abroad, two fewer polling stations will operate this year compared to the previous election.

Voter Statistics

Compared to the presidential elections five years ago, the voter list has decreased by 92,526. In Croatia, there are 3,512,226 voters registered in municipalities and cities, with 6,879 of them registered to vote abroad.

Additionally, just under 250,000 voters without residency in Croatia have registered actively, either officially or upon request. This year’s eligible voter count is roughly 11,000 fewer than in the parliamentary elections held in April.