Incumbent President Zoran Milanović of Croatia has a significant lead in the presidential election, according to an exit poll released by Ipsos. Milanović is shown to have over 50% of the vote, while his main challenger Dragan Primorac trails far behind with only 22%. Milanović, a left-leaning politician and former prime minister, is known for his combative style and criticism of Western military support for Ukraine. He has been compared to Donald Trump for his outspoken nature and has engaged in continuous sparring with current Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Despite the largely ceremonial role of the presidency in Croatia, an elected president still holds political authority and serves as the supreme military commander. Milanović’s position on foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine, has been a major point of contention in the election. He has criticized NATO and EU support for Ukraine, calling for Croatia to remain neutral in global disputes. Milanović’s rival, Dragan Primorac, has taken a different stance, emphasizing Croatia’s place in the West and advocating for a more assertive alignment with Western allies.
The election campaign has been marked by accusations of corruption, including a scandal involving Croatia’s health minister that has been a prominent issue in debates. Primorac has positioned himself as a unifying figure, calling for unity and peaceful progress for Croatia. Meanwhile, conservative independent candidate Marija Selak Raspudić has focused on economic hardships, corruption, and population decline issues facing the country. The election presents a choice between different visions for Croatia’s future, with candidates offering divergent approaches to foreign policy, governance, and societal challenges.
Croatia’s political landscape has been shaped by the ongoing rivalry between Milanović and Plenković, with the latter seeking to frame the election as a referendum on Croatia’s place in the EU and NATO. Plenković has portrayed Milanović as a threat to Croatia’s international standing, labeling him as “pro-Russian.” The heated competition between the two candidates reflects deeper divisions within Croatian society over issues such as foreign policy alignment, economic priorities, and governance effectiveness.
Ultimately, the outcome of the election will have implications for Croatia’s role in the international community, as well as its domestic policies on issues ranging from corruption to economic development. Milanović’s commanding lead in the exit poll suggests that he could secure a victory in the first round, avoiding a runoff election. However, the official results are yet to be published, leaving room for potential surprises or shifts in voter preferences. The election comes as the third vote in Croatia this year, following parliamentary and European Parliament elections, highlighting the importance of political engagement and decision-making for the country’s future trajectory.
