Croatia's presidential race has entered its final stretch, with voters set to return to the polls on Sunday, January 12th, after no candidate secured a majority in the December 29th election. The stage is now set for a fiery runoff between incumbent President Zoran Milanović, backed by the opposition SDP, and HDZ candidate Dragan Primorac, who enjoys the support of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
As the candidates scramble to rally support ahead of Friday's midnight campaign cutoff, the gloves have come off in a contest that is as much about policy as it is about personal accusations and political rivalries.
Milanović: A Call for ‘Sensible Changes’
President Milanović, vying for a second term, held a rally in Koprivnica on Saturday, where he positioned himself as the defender of Croatia’s constitutional integrity. In an impassioned speech, he urged citizens to vote, framing the election as a referendum on Croatia's democratic values.
“I call on people to come out and vote, regardless of the weather, and give me their support—not to humiliate my opponent but to send a clear message that we need changes,” Milanović declared. “Not radical changes or revolutions, but sensible ones—a return to the foundations of the Constitution.”
The incumbent’s rhetoric struck a measured tone, but his focus on "constitutional respect" appeared to contrast sharply with the corruption accusations hurled by his opponent.
Primorac: Corruption Allegations Take Centre Stage
Dragan Primorac, the HDZ candidate and Milanović's main rival, turned up the heat at a Saturday press conference, launching scathing attacks on the president’s alleged connections to a high-profile corruption scandal.
Primorac questioned Milanović’s relationship with Dragan Kovačević, the former director of JANAF, a state-owned oil and gas transportation company embroiled in a corruption trial. “Is it a coincidence that his [Kovačević’s] company is registered at the same address as JANAF? Is this friendship that led to one of Croatia’s biggest corruption scandals just a coincidence?” Primorac asked rhetorically.
In a blistering tirade, Primorac accused Milanović of failing to prioritize Croatia, painting his rival as a liability. “This is a person burdened with scandals. He does not put Croatia first. Zoran Milanović wants to enslave Croatia,” he claimed, adding fuel to an already contentious race.
A Clash of Ideologies
Milanović’s campaign has centred on maintaining his image as a reformer focused on constitutional principles and democratic accountability. His appeal to moderate voters hinges on his promise of stability and measured change.
In contrast, Primorac has adopted a combative tone, leveraging allegations of corruption and scandal to erode Milanović’s credibility. As the HDZ candidate, his campaign highlights his party’s ongoing commitment to economic reform and nationalistic values, appealing to conservative voters and those dissatisfied with the status quo.
The Stakes Are High
With both candidates representing opposing political factions, the stakes in this election are immense. Milanović, backed by the SDP, faces the daunting task of convincing voters that his tenure has been marked by integrity and progress. Meanwhile, Primorac, buoyed by HDZ support, is looking to exploit dissatisfaction with the incumbent and frame himself as the agent of change Croatia needs.
As the clock ticks down to Sunday’s vote, one thing is clear: Croatia’s presidential runoff has become a battleground not only for political power but for the future direction of the nation. With accusations flying and the electorate increasingly polarized, all eyes are now on the final hours of this high-stakes campaign.