Croatia’s left-leaning president Zoran Milanović is up for re-election, facing criticism for his populist views and opposition to Western military support for Ukraine. Despite being the frontrunner, Milanović is unlikely to secure an outright win in Sunday’s election. He has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, whose party has endorsed Dragan Primorac as a candidate. The presidency in Croatia is largely ceremonial but holds political authority, including acting as the commander of the military.
Milanović’s criticism of Western support for Ukraine, advocating for Croatia’s neutrality despite its NATO and EU memberships, has sparked controversy. Conversely, Primorac has emphasized Croatia’s alignment with the West, positioning himself as a unifier. However, Primorac’s campaign has been overshadowed by a corruption scandal involving the country’s health minister. Despite these issues, political experts suggest that Milanović’s re-election could help balance the ruling party’s dominance in government, promoting democracy.
Among the key contenders in the election is Marija Selak Raspudić, an independent candidate ranking third in polls, focusing on economic issues and corruption. Ivana Kekin of the left-green Možemo party, a psychiatrist, portrays herself as a president for a new generation and criticizes Primorac and HDZ for diverting funds from the health system. While four additional candidates are in the race, none are expected to advance to the second round of the election. Croatia has approximately 1.6 million eligible voters among its 3.8 million citizens.
Critics of Milanović raise concerns about his controversial comments and potential impact on Croatia’s image as a successful EU member state. Despite criticisms, Milanović has the support of the centre-left SDP, Croatia’s primary opposition party. The outcome of the election could have significant implications for Croatia’s political landscape and its role within the EU and NATO. The runoff election, if necessary, will take place on January 12th, determining the next president of Croatia and shaping the country’s future direction in the Adriatic region.
