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Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic will face conservative rival Dragan Primorac in a presidential run-off in two weeks after narrowly missing an outright victory on Sunday, official results showed.
Milanovic, backed by the opposition Social Democrats (SDP), secured 49.11% of the vote, just short of the 50% needed to avoid a run-off. Primorac, supported by the ruling conservative HDZ party, garnered 19.37% of the vote, according to results from nearly all polling stations.
The run-off, set for January 12, raises concerns for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's HDZ, as Milanovic's strong performance signals a challenge to the party's dominance in a country grappling with inflation, corruption, and labor shortages.
Among eight contenders, centre-right MP Marija Selak Raspudic and green-left MP Ivana Kekin followed with around 9% each.
Although Croatia's president holds limited powers, including commanding the armed forces and influencing foreign policy, many see the position as crucial for maintaining a political balance in the country, which has been largely governed by HDZ since independence in 1991.
Milanovic, a former prime minister and prominent political figure for nearly two decades, has used his presidency to fiercely criticize opponents, including Prime Minister Plenkovic.
A man casts his ballot to vote during the country's presidential elections at a polling station in Zagreb on December 29, 2024. - Croatians are going to the polls to elect a new President, the first round taking place on December 29 and the second on January 12. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR / AFP)
A Croatian Flag and a flag bearing the name of Croatia's outgoing President and Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Zoran Milanovic are seen on a table after the first exit poll results at the candidate's headquarters in Zagreb, Croatia, on December29,2024. - Croatia's incumbent President, backed by the opposition left-wing Social Democrats, won the presidential election in the first round, according to an exit poll. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR / AFP)" alt="Croatia's Milanovic to face Primorac in presidential run-off after narrow miss">
A man casts his ballot to vote during the country's presidential elections at a polling station in Zagreb on December 29, 2024. - Croatians are going to the polls to elect a new President, the first round taking place on December 29 and the second on January 12. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR / AFP)A Croatian Flag and a flag bearing the name of Croatia's outgoing President and Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Zoran Milanovic are seen on a table after the first exit poll results at the candidate's headquarters in Zagreb, Croatia, on December29,2024. - Croatia's incumbent President, backed by the opposition left-wing Social Democrats, won the presidential election in the first round, according to an exit poll. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR / AFP)
While condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Milanovic has also questioned Western military aid to Kyiv, drawing accusations from Plenkovic of undermining Croatia's credibility in NATO and the EU.
The rivalry between Milanovic and Plenkovic has long defined Croatian politics, with the election seen by many as an extension of their feud.
Dragan Primorac, a 59-year-old physician and scientist returning to politics after 15 years, has campaigned as a "unifier" focused on family values and patriotism.
He has accused Milanovic of "disgracing Croatia" in his conduct as president, a message that has resonated with his conservative base.
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