Croatia is gearing up for a presidential election scheduled to take place on December 29, as announced by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. The government is set to formally schedule the vote on Thursday, with a potential runoff vote two weeks later if no candidate secures an outright majority.
Incumbent President Zoran Milanovic, a populist figure, has confirmed his intention to seek reelection. Milanovic, supported by the opposition Social Democratic Party, is expected to face a strong challenge from Dragan Primorac, a candidate representing the governing conservatives.
The political landscape in Croatia is marked by the rivalry between Milanovic and Plenkovic, with differing views on key issues such as the Croatian government's stance on Ukraine. Milanovic has been critical of Croatia's involvement in supporting Ukraine, including the participation of Croatian troops in a NATO-led training mission for Ukrainian soldiers.
The conservative government faced a setback recently with the arrest of Health Minister Vili Beroš on suspicion of corruption related to procurement deals for Croatian hospitals. This development has added a layer of complexity to the upcoming election.
Aside from the main contenders, other candidates from both the left and right of the political spectrum are expected to enter the presidential race, further diversifying the field.
Milanovic, aged 58, previously served as prime minister before securing victory in the presidential election five years ago by defeating the incumbent Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic.
