Milanović wins Croatian president election in landslide 

Zoran Milanović (Photo: HINA/ Damir SENÈAR/Pool)

ZAGREB, 12 Jan (Hina/CW) – Incumbent Zoran Milanović has won a second term as president of Croatia after a landslide victory in the runoff against Dragan Primorac on Sunday.

After over 97% of the votes were counted, Zoran Milanović had won 74.50% of the vote, whilst Dragan Primorac had just 25.50%, the State Electoral Commission (DIP) confirmed. 

“Croatia, thank you. Bosnia and Herzegovina, thank you. Thanks to all the Croatians round the world. This big day and the victory I see as recognition for the work I have done over the last five years,” Milanović said tonight.

“This is a plebiscitary message from the Croatian people to all those who ought to hear it, and I ask that they listen. However you choose to interpret it, my extended hand is directed towards those who hold executive power in this country, those who claim they are responsible for 99% of everything.

The government bears the greatest responsibility in this nation. This is not support for me personally; no one has the backing of 70-something percent of voters. It is merely the sentiment of this moment, only for today, and nothing more.

It is my duty to be an equal participant in matters of foreign policy, as required by the Constitution. In matters of defence and security, I will serve as the Commander-in-Chief—not as an equal, but as the highest-ranking authority—because that is what the Constitution stipulates.

For the Croatia we aspire to, loyal to our homeland—long live Croatia!”, with these words, Milanović ended his victory speech.

Due to the time difference, the elections are still ongoing in some countries, the last polling stations opened on Sunday, at 2 and 4 p.m. Croatian time, in Chicago and Los Angeles, which have been ravaged by large fires in recent days.

Voting in those places lasts until Monday at 2 or 4 in the morning.

Around 45% of the 3,496,283 registered voters in Croatia turned out on Sunday to vote.

In the first round of elections, held in December, Milanović came close to securing an outright victory, earning 49.11% of the vote—just shy of the majority needed to avoid a runoff.

Primorac, who was his closest competitor, earning him a place in the runoff, just received 19.36%.

Since 1992, when the first direct presidential elections were held, Franjo Tuđman (1992 and 1997), Stipe Mesić (2000 and 2005), Ivo Josipović (2009), Kolinda Grabar Kitarović (2014) and Zoran Milanović (2019) were elected president of Croatia.

Croatia’s presidency is a five-year term, with a maximum of two terms permitted, which means this will be Milanović’s last term.