Zoran Milanović Leads Croatia's Presidential Election with 51.5% of Votes from 3.7 Million Voters on December 29

Dec 29, 2024, 11:06 AM

Croatia held its presidential election on December 29, 2024, with over 3.7 million registered voters participating. Incumbent President Zoran Milanović, representing the Social Democratic Party (S&D), was widely expected to win re-election. Exit polls indicated that Milanović secured approximately 51.5% of the votes, significantly ahead of his closest rival, Dragan Primorac from the European People's Party (EPP), who garnered around 19.3%. This election marks the first time since 1997 that a president could potentially win outright in the first round. Preliminary results are expected to be confirmed by the State Electoral Commission later in the evening. The election featured eight candidates and is crucial as the president holds significant authority, including being the supreme commander of the military. If confirmed, Milanović's victory would allow him to serve another five-year term.