Croatian voters choose the incumbent president, according to polls

On Sunday, Croatians cast ballots in a runoff election for the presidency, with incumbent Zoran Milanovic leading the race ahead of the ruling party’s candidate, Dragan Primorac, according to opinion polls.

Polling places will conclude at 1800 GMT after opening at 0600 GMT, and exit polls are anticipated a few minutes later. About 1900 GMT will provide preliminary findings, and the next few days should bring comprehensive, official results.

Approximately 3.8 million citizens of the EU and NATO member states are eligible to cast ballots in the second round on Sunday. The turnout at 11.30 a.m. (1030 GMT), according to the state election commission, was 13.8%.

With 49.1% of the vote, Milanovic of the Social Democratic Party won the first round two weeks ago. Primorac, who represents the Democratic Union, the ruling party in Croatia, came in second with 19.35%.

According to a Nova TV Daily News opinion survey released on Friday, Milanovic had 67.4% of the vote, winning the decisive runoff. Less than 27% of it supported Primorac.

Following his vote in Zagreb, the capital, Milanovic assured reporters that he was certain to win a second term in office.

“In the past five years I did my job in the best faith, and I hope that people have seen it,” he added.

The head of state of Croatia has authority over defense, security, and foreign policy issues but cannot veto laws.

The previous prime minister Milanovic, who is populist, has often insulted Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on foreign and public policy during his tenure.

Primorac, a former science instructor, voted in Zagreb as well.
“The Croatian people will be the only ones making decisions,” he told reporters.