Croatia’s Presidential Run-Off: Milanović Secures Re-Election Amidst Political Tensions
On the 12th, Croatia witnessed a decisive moment in its political landscape as incumbent President Milanović clinched re-election in a run-off vote against former Education and Science Minister Primorac. The election, held in Zagreb, saw Milanović garnering 74.58% of the votes, while Primorac secured 25.42%, according to the election commission wiht 98.65% of votes counted.
“Today is an important day for me,” Milanović declared, addressing his supporters. “I consider this victory a recognition of my work and a proof of the people’s trust in me.”
The voter turnout stood at 44.15%, reflecting a mixed engagement from the electorate. Milanović, who also leads the center-left opposition party, the Social Democratic party, has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Plenkovic, particularly on foreign and public policy matters. His stance has often diverged from the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), especially regarding support for Ukraine.
While the Croatian president holds the right to speak on foreign policy, defense, and national security, the role remains largely ceremonial, with no power to veto laws. This limitation underscores the symbolic nature of the presidency, even as Milanović continues to influence political discourse.
Key Election Data
| Candidate | Vote Percentage |
| Milanović | 74.58% |
| Primorac | 25.42% |
The election results highlight Milanović’s enduring influence in Croatian politics, despite his ceremonial powers. his re-election signifies a continued trust from the electorate, even as he navigates complex political tensions with Prime Minister Plenkovic.
For more insights into Croatia’s political dynamics, explore the Thomson Reuters “Principles of Trust”, which underpins the integrity of such critical reporting.
As Croatia moves forward under Milanović’s leadership, the nation’s political trajectory will undoubtedly remain a focal point in European discourse. Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments shaping Croatia’s future.
Croatia’s President Zoran Milanović has been re-elected by a notable margin in a run-off election held on January 12, 2025. Milanović secured 74.58% of the votes, defeating his opponent, former Education and Science Minister Dragan Primorac, who garnered 25.42%. This victory underscores Milanović’s popularity and the electorate’s continued trust in his leadership, despite his largely ceremonial role as president. Milanović, who also leads the center-left Social Democratic Party, has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Plenkovic, especially on foreign policy issues, frequently enough diverging from EU and NATO stances, especially regarding support for Ukraine [[1]].
The voter turnout stood at 44.15%, reflecting mixed engagement from the electorate.Milanović’s re-election highlights his enduring influence in Croatian politics, even as he navigates complex political tensions with the ruling government.Although the Croatian presidency is largely symbolic, with no power to veto laws, Milanović continues to shape political discourse thru his stance on national security, defense, and foreign policy [[3]].
For more insights into Croatia’s political dynamics, explore the Thomson Reuters “Principles of Trust”,which underpins the integrity of critical reporting on such events.
