Zoran Milanovic wins landslide re-election as Croatian President
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Zoran Milanovic secured a decisive victory in Croatia's presidential election, winning over 1.1 million votes, more than three times his opponent Dragan Primorac's total, with 99.59% of polling stations reporting.
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President incumbent Zoran Milanovic greets his supporters as the preliminary results grant him victory in a runoff vote for the Croatian presidential election in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. The sign reads "Thank You" (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Sunday declared victory in the presidential election, defeating his opponent Dragan Primorac by a wide margin.
According to data from 99.59% of polling stations, Milanovic secured 1,117,751 votes, more than three times the 379,201 votes cast for Primorac. Voter turnout was recorded at 44.17%, as reported by the State Electoral Commission.
Speaking at his election headquarters, Milanovic described the results as a reflection of public confidence in his leadership over the past five years.
"I perceive this as an endorsement of my work over the past five years, a step of trust in me … My hand is extended, it is my duty to those who represent the executive power in this country and who claim they are responsible for 99%, while the rest of us — for the remaining 1%," he said, thanking his supporters and calling for applause for voters from the rival Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).
Polling took place on Sunday, with voting stations open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Over 6,700 polling stations were available within Croatia, along with 105 voting locations across 38 other countries to accommodate overseas voters.
A total of 3.77 million people were eligible to vote, and 14,600 accredited observers oversaw the process.
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Milanovic, a former prime minister, has long been a prominent figure in Croatian politics. Known for his sharp wit, he has often used the presidency to challenge his opponents and criticize EU officials, sometimes adopting offensive and populist rhetoric.
While condemning Russia's operations in Ukraine, Milanovic has been outspoken in opposing Western military aid to Kiev. This stance led Prime Minister Plenkovic to accuse him of being pro-Russian and undermining Croatia's credibility in NATO and the EU.
Milanovic defended his position, stating, "As long as I'm president no Croatian soldier will wage somebody else's wars."
