Croatia’s Presidential Runoff Underway, Over 3.7 Million Eligible Voters to Cast Their Votes
Introduction
Voting for Croatia’s presidential runoff began at 7 am (0600 GMT) on Sunday, with over 3.7 million eligible voters across the country choosing between incumbent President Zoran Milanovic and his rival Dragan Primorac.
Background
The State Electoral Commission has called on voters to go to the polls to exercise their right to vote. The first round of voting was held on December 29, 2024, with eight candidates vying for the presidency. Among them, Milanovic, backed by the largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, and Primorac, supported by the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, ranked first and second with 49.09 per cent and 19.35 per cent of the votes respectively.
Runoff Process
According to Croatian law, if no one secures more than half of the votes in the first round, the two leading candidates will be enrolled in a presidential runoff held two weeks later. Milanovic, who narrowly missed an outright victory in the first round, entered the second round with a huge advantage over Primorac. According to the results of the latest poll released ahead of the runoff, Milanovic’s support rate was 62.5 per cent, while Primorac’s was 27.8 per cent.
Key Facts
- The Croatian president serves a five-year term and can be re-elected once.
- Over 3.7 million eligible voters are participating in the runoff.
- Milanovic is backed by the largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party.
- Primorac is supported by the ruling Croatian Democratic Union.
Conclusion
The presidential runoff in Croatia is a crucial event, as the country’s future direction and leadership hang in the balance. As the voting process continues, it remains to be seen which candidate will emerge victorious. Will it be the incumbent President Zoran Milanovic, or his rival Dragan Primorac? The outcome will depend on the will of the Croatian people, who have the power to shape the country’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the two candidates in the presidential runoff?
A: Incumbent President Zoran Milanovic and his rival Dragan Primorac.
Q: What is the voting process like in Croatia?
A: Voting is done through a runoff system, where the top two candidates with the most votes in the first round compete in a second round.
Q: How many people are eligible to vote in the runoff?
A: Over 3.7 million eligible voters are participating in the runoff.
Q: What is the term length of the Croatian president?
A: The Croatian president serves a five-year term and can be re-elected once.