Croatia set for presidential election amid tensions and feuds
A woman walks past an election poster of Presidential candidate of Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party, Dragan Primorac which reads "For a new President who represents all citizens", in the centre of Zagreb, Croatia, Dec. 27, 2024. (AFP Photo)
Croatians will vote on Sunday (Dec. 29) in the Balkan country’s presidential election, with opinion polls widely predicting incumbent Zoran Milanovic will win after a bruising campaign marked by personal attacks.
The presidential race pits Milanovic, a left-wing populist known for his sharp rhetoric, against Dragan Primorac, a former Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party’s minister with the backing of the ruling party. Milanovic has ridiculed Primorac as “fake as a 13-euro note” while accusing him of lacking charisma.
With the two main candidates often trading insults, analysts suggest that none of the eight candidates are likely to win the 50 percent required to secure victory outright, meaning a runoff will likely be held on January 12.
While the office of president is largely ceremonial, the election comes amid Croatia’s ongoing struggles with inflation, widespread corruption, and a severe labor shortage.
Presidential candidates at a glance
Zoran Milanovic
Milanovic, 58, has been a prominent political figure in Croatia for nearly two decades, serving as prime minister from 2011 to 2016. After stepping back from politics following a party defeat, he made a comeback and won the presidency in 2020.
He entered politics in 1999 by joining the left-wing Social Democrats (SDP), formerly the communist party, and took over its helm in 2007.
Known for his sharp wit and sometimes bombastic rhetoric, Milanovic has made waves with his criticism of the European Union and Croatia’s current political leadership, particularly Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, whom he has called a “serious threat to democracy.” Milanovic’s campaign has centered on promoting tolerance and liberal values, though his combative nature has alienated some voters.
Dragan Primorac
A trained pediatrician and geneticist, Primorac, 59, has been a key figure in Croatian politics since the early 2000s. Having previously served as science and education minister, he is supported by the ruling HDZ party despite not being a member.
His presidential campaign has largely focused on attacking Milanovic and promoting family values and patriotism. Critics, however, have questioned his lack of political charisma and his role as an attack dog for the HDZ.
Other Candidates
Marija Selak Raspudic, 42, a philosopher and center-right lawmaker, is running as an independent after leaving the ultra-conservative Most party. After briefly working in public relations and as a TV journalist, she joined Zagreb University’s philosophy department. She entered the parliament in 2020 as an MP of the ultra-conservative Most — “Bridge” — party. She was re-elected this year but ditched the party and is running as an independent.
Selak Raspudic has advocated for stronger presidential powers, including the introduction of a veto, saying, “We need a proactive president who will make the most of her powers.”
Ivana Kekin, 40, a psychiatrist and green-left politician, has focused on improving Croatia’s public healthcare and advocating for social issues. She served as an MP since 2021 as a member of the green-left Mozemo — “We Can” — party.
In June, Kekin was elected a member of the European Parliament but later stepped back from taking the position, allowing a fellow party member to take the job.
The 40-year-old psychiatrist is also married to Mile Kekin, the frontman of the Croatian punk-rock band Hladno Pivo.
Both candidates are vying for a chance to shake up the political landscape.
Political feuds dominate race
The election has largely become a continuation of the ongoing feud between Milanovic and Plenkovic, with Milanovic denouncing the government’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war and the economy.
Milanovic has denounced the EU’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prompting Plenkovic to accuse him of holding “pro-Russian views” and “destroying Croatia’s credibility in NATO and the EU”.
Meanwhile, many voters see this contest as a “duel between the president and the prime minister,” which has dominated Croatian politics for years.
While Milanovic regularly criticizes Plenkovic’s administration for corruption, Primorac has largely positioned himself as the antidote to Milanovic’s combative presidency, pledging to unite the nation and restore stability.
“You have a president who holds nothing sacred. Neither the homeland nor the work. He wakes up at 11:30 a.m. and likes to bicker,” Primorac said during a recent rally.
Voter sentiment
Despite the feuding, many voters have expressed frustration with the campaign, which has centered on personal attacks rather than policy debates. “Everything is based on quarrels rather than on constructive proposals and programs,” said Zagreb designer Katarina Kozul Baranovic, who plans to vote for what she calls the “lesser evil.”
Young Croatians have shown little enthusiasm for the race, struggling with issues like high housing costs, unstable job prospects, and low wages. “Maybe that’s why they decide not to vote, because they look at it in a fatalistic way,” said 18-year-old student Iva Jurisic.
As the election unfolds, analysts predict the race will only intensify as the two frontrunners continue to spar in the run-up to a likely runoff in January.
