Zoran Milanović continues to be Croatia’s most popular politician, a status that reflects a complex political legacy marked by his pro-Moscow and anti-Western rhetoric, juxtaposed with his role in leading Croatia into the European Union as prime minister in 2013. Milanović, who secured the presidency in 2020 with the backing of the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), remains a dominant figure in the country’s political landscape.
“This marks the beginning of the end for [Prime Minister] Andrej Plenković,” declared SDP leader Sinša Hajdaš Dončić from Milanović’s campaign headquarters on Sunday night, signaling a pivotal moment for Croatia’s political future.
Prime Minister Plenković and his center-right HDZ party recently faced significant challenges, including a corruption scandal involving former health minister Vili Beroš. The case, which surfaced in November, placed the government at odds with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which accused Croatian authorities of obstructing investigations into widespread corruption.
Commenting on the political fallout, sociology professor Dragan Bagić from the University of Zagreb told Večernji list daily, “Primorac was a poor candidate. This loss undermines the myth that HDZ enjoys an unshakably loyal voter base.”
Croatia, a nation historically dominated by the HDZ since its independence in 1991, is grappling with pressing economic challenges. In November, it registered the eurozone’s third-highest inflation rate, compounded by a severe labor shortage that continues to strain the economy.
The political landscape appears to be shifting, with Milanović’s enduring popularity and mounting obstacles for the HDZ potentially reshaping Croatia’s future.
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