Eurosceptic Milanovic re-elected as Croatian president, according to exit polls

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Zoran Milanovic, candidate of the coalition of Social Democratic Party (SDP) and nine other minor left and centre parties, is emerging as the winner of the presidential elections in Croatia with more than 77% of the votes, according to the first exit polls. This result comes after a first round held on December 29, in which Milanovic obtained the 49% of the votes, staying at a 1% to achieve an absolute majority against the 19% from its rival, Primorac.

Election day and participation

This Sunday, around 6.700 polling stations They opened their doors at 07:00 (06:00 GMT) to allow the 3,8 million voters registered voters to elect their next head of state. According to the most recent polls published by the broadcaster Nova TV and public television HTV Before the day of reflection, Milanovic was projected to obtain between the 63% and 67% of the votes, while Primorac would reach a maximum of 28%.

A presidential position that is mostly ceremonial

The president in Croatia has a mandate of five years and plays a primarily protocolary and representative role. However, the position also includes responsibilities in the foreign policy and command of the armed forces, shared with the government. During his first term, Milanovic stood out for his approach sovereignist and nationalist, although it has recently softened its criticism of the European Union and adjusted its positions related to the war in ukraine.

Candidate profile

milanovic, 58, was Prime Minister between 2011 and 2015 and leader of the Social Democratic Party between 2007 and 2016. In his first presidential term, he shifted towards positions Eurosceptics and nationalists, causing tensions with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. These disagreements paralysed some key functions, such as the appointment of ambassadors.

For its part, Miroslav Primorac, a 59-year-old professor without much political charisma, was Minister of Science and Education between 2003 and 2009. During his campaign he promised to firmly support the Conservative government's Euro-Atlantic policy, even though the latter has been plagued by corruption scandals.

NATO relations and the war in Ukraine

Milanovic has moderated his speech on the European Union and softened its rhetoric regarding the war in ukraine, although it remains opposed to Croatian troops taking part in training NATO for Ukrainian soldiers. He argues that this could involve Croatia in the war provoked by the Russian invasion.

With a presidential mandate focused on the moderationMilanovic faces the challenge of balancing his stances sovereignists with the diplomatic demands of a member country of the European Union and NATO.

 

 

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