Croatia’s presidential election is heading to a runoff on January 12 after no candidate secured an outright majority in Sunday’s vote, the Croatian State Election Commission (SEC) announced.
With 99.88 percent of votes counted, incumbent President Zoran Milanovic, backed by the largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, leads the race with 49.10 percent, narrowly missing a first-round victory. His main challenger, Dragan Primorac of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, garnered 19.35 percent of the votes, according to the SEC.
Under Croatian election law, if no candidate achieves more than 50 percent of the votes, the top two contenders proceed to a runoff two weeks later.
Addressing his supporters, Milanovic expressed gratitude and optimism. “I believe that in two weeks we will celebrate victory,” he said.
Primorac, a 59-year-old physician and scientist returning to politics after 15 years, campaigned as a “unifier” promoting family values and patriotism. Speaking to his supporters, he called the runoff “a great opportunity.”
“Now a great opportunity is coming. Milanovic and I will be one on one, so we will see who knows what and represents what,” Primorac said. “Croatia needs changes, and in two weeks it will be a historic day.”
The election comes as the European Union and NATO member country of 3.8 million people struggles with inflation and a labor shortage.
The Croatian president serves a five-year term and can seek re-election once.
(With input from Xinhua)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
