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Croatia’s Presidential Election: Milanovic and Primorac Head to Second Round
Election Outcome
- Zoran Milanovic (Social Democrats): 49.1% of the vote.
- Dragan Primorac (HDZ): 19.35% of the vote.
- Marija Selak Raspudic (Independent): 9.25% of the vote.
Milanović and Primorac will advance to the second round, scheduled for January 12.
Voter Turnout
- Eligible voters: Approximately 3.8 million.
- Turnout: 46%.
Role of the President
The Croatian presidency is largely ceremonial but holds influence in the areas of foreign policy, defense, and security.
Candidate Positions
Zoran Milanović:
- Advocates for a strong and independent Croatia.
- Seeks reconciliation with the government amidst national challenges.
- Criticized the European Union and NATO policies regarding Ukraine.
Dragan Primorac:
- Aims to unify conservative votes from the first round.
- Focuses on improving youth opportunities and pensioner welfare.
Political Climate
The election comes at a time of tension between Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, highlighting corruption allegations against the ruling HDZ government.