The current president of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, is expected to win re-election in the first round, according to an exit poll carried out by the Ipsos Institute. Croatians voted this Sunday (29) to choose the next head of state, which in the Eastern European country is a mainly symbolic and foreign policy function.
According to the survey, Milanovic obtained 51% of the votes, enough to eliminate the need for a second round. The candidate from the HDZ party, to which Prime Minister Andrei Plenkovic also belongs, received just 19% of the vote, according to the survey. Official results are expected to be released later.
Milanovic is known for his critical views on the European Union, NATO, the Western military alliance led by the United States, and financial aid to Ukraine. His main opponent, Dragan Primorac, waged a campaign denouncing Milanovic’s alleged extremism.
“Today, the citizens of Croatia decide about their future, the future of our homeland,” said Primorac when voting in Zagreb, the country’s capital. “Every vote is vitally important.”
Throughout his term, Milanovic was involved in disputes with Prime Minister Plenkovic over foreign policy, questioning Croatia’s support for Ukraine in the war against Russia.
