Croatian President Zoran Milanović has won a landslide victory in the country’s presidential election, defeating opposition candidate Dragan Primorac with nearly 74% of the vote. The result marks a significant boost to Milanović, who is known for his strong stance against Western military support for Ukraine.
Milanović, 58, is considered one of the most popular politicians in Croatia and has been praised for his combative style of communication. His re-election sets the stage for continued tension with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, with whom he has had a contentious relationship since Milanović took office.
The election was held during a time of economic uncertainty for Croatia, with biting inflation and corruption scandals affecting the country. Milanović criticized the European Union and NATO as “non-democratic” and accused Brussels of using “mental violence” to silence opponents.
Despite limited powers, many believe that the presidency is crucial in maintaining the balance of power in Croatian politics. The opposition has struggled to present a united front against Milanović, who remains a divisive figure in the country.
Primorac, 59, had previously run for president in 2009 but was unsuccessful. He is a forensic scientist and had focused on his academic career before entering politics.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/croatias-president-milanovic-wins-reelection-after-defeating-ruling-party-candidate-in-runoff