• Zoran Milanović earns a hefty 74% of the vote in a runoff election.
• His primary opponent, Dragan Primorac, received nearly 26%.
• Milanović criticizes EU policies and expresses his vision for Croatia's future.
• The election takes place amid ongoing issues of inflation and corruption in Croatia.
• This victory is seen as a mandate against the current government led by Andrej Plenković.

In a stunning confirmation from the electorate, Croatia's opposition-backed President Zoran Milanović has been re-elected for another five-year term, decisively defeating ruling party candidate Dragan Primorac in a runoff election held on Sunday. Milanović achieved a commanding 74% of the vote, as detailed in the official results from Latimes, compared to Primorac's nearly 26%.

This victory represents a significant endorsement for Milanović, particularly as he has consistently voiced opposition to the European Union and NATO, especially regarding military support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. Following the announcement of the results, Milanović asserted that his win symbolizes public approval and proclaimed, “I am asking them [the government] to hear it. That is what the citizens wanted to say. This is not just support for me,” reflecting the electorate's desire for change amidst Croatia's issues of inflation, corruption scandals, and a labor shortage.

The political landscape in Croatia is set for further confrontation, as Milanović, often likened to former U.S. President Donald Trump for his combative rhetoric, continues to challenge the conservative government led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. During his previous term, he faced multiple battles with Plenković, and analysts predict that this tension will persist. “If there was no cooperation with the prime minister for the first five years of his presidency, why would there be now?” remarked political analyst Višeslav Raos.

Milanović's victory was solidified after he initially won in the first round on December 29, although he did not secure the necessary majority, leading to the runoff against Primorac, a forensic scientist with a prior unsuccessful presidential bid. The election occurred with the nation grappling with critical issues, such as rising costs and systemic corruption within political circles.

Firm in his beliefs, Milanović has often drawn criticism for his stance on EU governance, branding it as “in many ways non-democratic” and controlled by unelected officials. He expressed sentiments that the EU's exclusive ideological approach amounts to “mental violence” and emphasized his aspiration to reshape the political discourse in what he considers a “small nation” of 3.8 million people.
Despite limited constitutional power, the presidential role carries significant political weight, contributing to the balance of power in a nation governed predominantly by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) since its independence from Yugoslavia.

Milanović's return to power not only boosts his political agenda but may set the stage for a re-evaluation of Croatia's foreign policy, positioning it distinctly against NATO's current initiatives in Eastern Europe. The president's assertions regarding military objectives and foreign relations underscore a crucial moment in Croatian politics as he embarks on this second term.

For more details, refer to the full articles on CNN and Latimes.