Croatian Presidential Election Heads to Runoff as Milanović Falls Short of Majority

Incumbent Zoran Milanović secures 49.1% in the first round, facing conservative rival Dragan Primorac in January runoff.

Zoran Milanović, Croatia's incumbent president, narrowly missed the 50% threshold needed for outright victory, securing 49.1% of the vote in the first round.
Dragan Primorac, the conservative HDZ-backed candidate, finished a distant second with 19.4%, setting up a runoff election on January 12.
Milanović, known for his populist rhetoric and criticism of NATO and EU policies, has faced accusations of pro-Russian leanings from opponents but remains Croatia's most popular politician.
The election highlights deep divisions in Croatian politics, with Milanović's campaign focusing on corruption allegations against the HDZ-led government and his role as a counterbalance to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Low voter turnout of 46% was reported, significantly below previous elections, with major issues including inflation, corruption, and labor shortages weighing on the electorate.