The pro-Russian and eurosceptic Zoran Milanovic revalidates the presidency of Croatia, according to exit polls

Zoran Milanovic, candidate of the coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and nine minor left and center parties, would be the winner of the Polish presidential elections with more than 77% of the votes, according to the first exit polls. In the first electoral round on December 29, the pro-Russian and Eurosceptic obtained 49% of the votes, remaining 1% short of the absolute majority, compared to 19% for his rival. Primorac.

Some 6,700 polling stations opened this Sunday at 07:00 (06:00 GMT) in Croatia for 3.8 million voters. elect their head of state.

The latest polls from the private station Nova TV and public television HTVpublished on Friday before the day of reflection, indicated that Milanovic would obtain between 63 and 67% of the votes, while Primorac would obtain a maximum of 28%.

The presidential position, with a five-year term, in Croatia has, above all, a protocol and representative character, but it also influences the country’s foreign policy along with the government and the command of the country’s armed forces.

Milanovic, 58, was prime minister (2011-2015) and leader of the Social Democratic Party (2007-2016). During the last five years of his first presidential term he has veered from progressive positions to sovereignist positionseurosceptic, nationalist and even pro-Russian.

Primorac, a 59-year-old professor without political charisma who between 2003 and 2009 was Minister of Science and Education, promises strongly support the Euro-Atlantic policy of the Conservative Governmentweighed down by a series of corruption scandals.

Moderation with the EU

Milanovic’s first term has been marked by constant disagreements and quarrels, even insults, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, so that in five years no new ambassador has been appointed, something for which the agreement of the head of state is necessary. and the head of the Government.

The presidential office in Croatia has, above all, a protocol and representative character, but it also involves the creation of foreign policy of the country together with the government and the command of the country’s armed forces.

During the Milanovic campaign has moderated his criticism of the European Union and softened positions, related to the war in Ukraine above all, which they bordered on support for Putin.

Yet, continues to refuse to allow Croatian soldiers to participate even in programs NATO training for Ukrainian troops, understanding that this would mean their country’s entry into the war caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.