Incumbent Zoran Milanovic wins Croatia's presidential election: Exit polls

Milanovic seems set for 2nd term, while his main challenger Dragan Primorac reportedly trails with 19.04% of vote

By Lejla Biogradlija

ZAGREB, Croatia (AA) — The Social Democratic Party (SDP)-backed Zoran Milanovic won a second term as Croatia's president on Sunday, according to exit polls.

Based on Ipsos polls, Milanovic secured 50.74% of the votes in the first round, earning him another term as president without having to compete in a second round.

Milanovic expressed his gratitude through a brief message on social media, saying simply: "Thank you."

Milanovic's main challenger, Dragan Primorac, candidate of the ruling center-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and a former education minister, reportedly trailed with 19.04% of the vote, finishing a distant second.

Croatia’s left-leaning president Milanovic is known for his outspoken criticism of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli in Istanbul

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