In a resounding victory, Zoran Milanovic has been re-elected as Croatia’s president, securing nearly three-quarters of the votes cast in the country’s presidential election.
Milanovic’s triumph highlights the widespread support for the former prime minister, despite his outspoken and often polarizing leadership style.
The result was a stunning defeat for his opponent, Dragan Primorac, who garnered only 25 percent of the vote. Backed by the ruling centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Primorac’s performance marked the party’s worst electoral result in its more than three-decade dominance of Croatian politics.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, leader of the HDZ, responded coolly to the outcome, refusing to congratulate Milanovic. Instead, Plenkovic dismissed the president’s victory, saying, “Milanovic offers nothing.”
In his acceptance speech, Milanovic struck a conciliatory tone, expressing his willingness to work with the government despite their political differences. “I will offer a hand to the prime minister,” he said.
While the Croatian presidency is largely ceremonial, Milanovic has used the platform to critique the ruling party on key issues such as corruption, inflation, and healthcare. His criticisms have often resonated with voters frustrated by the HDZ’s long-standing grip on power.
Internationally, Milanovic has maintained a nuanced stance, condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but also criticising Western military aid to Kyiv. His approach has sometimes placed him at odds with European allies, reflecting his independent political style.
Before assuming the presidency, Milanovic served as Croatia’s prime minister from 2011 to 2016 and led the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SDP) for nearly a decade. Known for his blunt rhetoric, he once referred to the HDZ as a “gangster clique,” a label that underscored the intense political rivalry between the two camps.
Last year, Milanovic briefly attempted to re-enter parliamentary politics by announcing a bid for the prime ministership, a move later ruled unconstitutional. He accused the judiciary of being under HDZ influence, a claim that further fueled tensions between the presidency and the government.
Milanovic’s decisive re-election signals a shift in Croatia’s political landscape, with voters expressing discontent with the HDZ’s dominance. For a party that has shaped Croatia’s post-independence era, the election result raises questions about its future strategy and leadership.