Zoran Milanovic has emerged victorious in Croatia’s presidential election, securing a commanding 75% of the vote in a landslide win. His opponent, Dragan Primorac, backed by the ruling centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), fell short with just 25% of the vote—marking the party’s worst electoral showing in its history.
In a surprising move, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic chose not to congratulate Milanovic, instead dismissing the re-elected president as offering “nothing.” However, Milanovic responded by extending an olive branch, expressing his willingness to “offer a hand” to Plenkovic despite their stark political differences.
While the Croatian presidency is largely ceremonial, Milanovic has used his platform to vocally criticize the HDZ on various fronts, including corruption, inflation, and healthcare issues. His stance on international matters has also been a source of controversy—though he condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he has also criticized the West’s military support for Kyiv, fueling domestic and global debate.
Before becoming president, Milanovic served as Croatia’s prime minister from 2011 to 2016 and was the leader of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the same period. Last year, he sparked controversy by declaring his intention to run for prime minister in Croatia’s parliamentary elections—an attempt later deemed unconstitutional by the courts, which Milanovic attributed to influence from the HDZ.
The HDZ, which has held a dominant position in Croatian politics since the country’s independence, now faces significant challenges after Primorac’s crushing defeat. The results reflect a growing disillusionment with the party’s leadership under Plenkovic, signaling a possible shift in Croatia’s political landscape.
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