Croatia Heads to the Polls for Presidential Election Run-Off

Zagreb (Eurotoday) – The presidential runoff election is taking place in Croatia on January 12, 2025, with incumbent President Zoran Milanovic ahead in opinion polls.

Milanovic was supported by 49.1% of voters in the primary held two weeks ago, while his opponent, Dragan Primorac, managed only 19.35%. According to recent polls, Milanovic is expected to secure around 67.4% of the votes in the second round, whereas Primorac is projected to garner less than 27%.

Incumbent Zoran Milanovic, who has the backing of the Social Democratic Party and its allies, has maintained a critical stance on the involvement of NATO in Ukraine. This position has earned him significant popularity, making him the likely winner of a second term. On the other hand, Dragan Primorac, a former Minister of Science, Education, and Youth, is running as the candidate for the ruling Croatian Democratic Union party (HDZ) after finishing second in the initial round of voting. The two candidates represent starkly different political ideologies and governance models, with Milanovic embodying a more left-populist perspective and Primorac advocating for the right-wing values typically associated with the HDZ.

What challenges face Croatia’s next president amid high inflation?

The election takes place against a backdrop of high inflation and persistent corruption challenges in Croatia. Milanovic’s first term has often been marked by public clashes with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, with heated exchanges frequently making headlines. Milanovic’s populist rhetoric resonates with those looking for a vocal opponent to the governing party.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is a center-left organization championing social democracy, antifascism, and pro-European ideals. Its platform promotes social justice, equal opportunities, workers’ rights, and policies aimed at reducing economic inequalities. The SDP also advocates for progressive social reforms, including women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and environmental protection.

Conversely, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) is a center-right party grounded in Christian democratic values and national conservatism. It emphasizes patriotism, Croatian national interests, and traditional values rooted in Catholic teachings. The HDZ prioritizes maintaining Croatia’s cultural identity and supports conservative social policies.

While both parties share some common ground regarding economic development and Croatia’s role in the EU, they diverge significantly on social policy, ideology, and governance approaches. The SDP leans toward progressive reforms to advance social equity, whereas the HDZ focuses on preserving conservative values and strengthening national identity.

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