Left-leaning Zoran Milanović was re-elected as Croatia’s president last Sunday and will be in office for the next five years. He was supported by the SDP (Social Democrat Party), who opposed the reigning party HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union). Milanović was expected to come out victorious in the runoff after the first round, as he collected 49% of the votes, while HDZ candidate Dragan Primorac only received 19%. With all votes counted in the runoff, Milanović received 74% of the votes, nearing the two-thirds majority.
Milanović previously served as Croatia’s Prime Minister from 2011 to 2016, implementing reforms that were credited with addressing the economic fallout of the 2008 crisis. After stepping away from politics for a few years, he returned with a reform-oriented approach that brought him back to the forefront of the country’s political landscape. His popularity relies mainly on the population’s frustration with HDZ, which was seen as the status quo. His direct style of communication resonated with younger voters, though he hasn’t been able to convince HDZ-loyal voters in the countryside.
At home, Milanović is a polarizing figure. He often directly quoted the Constitution, arguing about the limits of executive power. During the pandemic, when the government implemented lockdown restrictions, he criticized them, arguing there should be a balance. Unlike other perceived right-wing leaders, Milanović supported LGBTQ+ rights, which earned him support from a more liberal base.
Due to his outspoken and polarizing style of communication, Milanović has often drawn comparisons to U.S. political figures like Donald Trump Jr. He has regularly accused Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and the HDZ of corruption, leading to significant political divisions.
Milanović’s politics in his first term focused on criticizing military support for Ukraine, declaring, “Of course we support Ukraine, we support solidarity. But we must evaluate what we can and not do, and what Croatia should or shouldn’t do. The blood war in Ukraine is an ongoing conflict between two great powers, and that’s not Croatia’s business.”
The 58-year-old has also been critical of the European Union, labelling it as “undemocratic in many ways.” He says he wants to provide solutions: “That’s not the modern Europe I want to live and work in. I will work on changing it, as much as I can as the president of a small nation.” His frequent attacks on the European Union and aid to Ukraine have led PM Plenković to label him pro-Russian.
Internationally, Milanović tried to improve Croatia’s position in Europe by focusing on the economy and improving relations with neighbours. However, his tenure saw tensions with Bosnia and Serbia concerning war legacy and Croatian minority rights in the Bosnian federation. He also oversaw Croatia’s accession to the Schengen zone, barely 10 years after joining the EU, and regularly insisted Croatia must modernize its defence mechanisms as a NATO member.
While popular, Milanović faces several key challenges in his second term:
- Strengthening the country’s economy, which remains heavily dependent on tourism for income
- Addressing inflation following Croatia’s accession to the Eurozone, which has made it difficult for Croatian incomes to keep up with rising costs
- Managing his polarizing style to avoid further dividing the national left and right
- Navigating international relations, as his frequent anti-EU positions could present diplomatic challenges
- Following through on his criticism of alleged HDZ corruption with concrete solutions
- Advancing his agenda for renewable, greener energy
However, as President, his power is limited—as it mostly remains an advisory role. His success will depend on his ability to work within these constraints while addressing these pressing challenges.