EU State’s Presidential Election Won by Landslide by Critic of Ukraine Aid
President Zoran Milanovic secured re-election in Croatia with over 74% of the vote. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Zoran Milanovic has won more than 74% of the vote in Croatia
Incumbent Croatian president Zoran Milanovic, recognized for his critical views on the EU and NATO, as well as his opposition to Western assistance for Ukraine, has achieved a significant victory securing a second term in office.
In the presidential runoff held on Sunday, Milanovic received 74.68% of the votes, decisively defeating his opponent Dragan Primorac from the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, according to the State Election Commission's announcement on Monday.
Voter turnout was reported at approximately 45% among the 3.5 million registered voters.
“It's a plebiscite message from the Croatian people to all those who ought to hear it, and I ask that they listen,” Milanovic declared during his victory speech.
Milanovic has been vocal in his criticism of Zagreb's support for Ukraine, characterizing the conflict as a NATO proxy war against Russia. Last year, he used his authority as the head of the armed forces to prevent the deployment of five Croatian officers to a NATO mission in Germany.
He affirmed his intention to act as “an equal participant in matters of foreign policy… In matters of defense and security, I will serve as the Commander-in-Chief—not as an equal, but as the highest-ranking authority—because that is what the Constitution stipulates.”
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has previously described Milanovic as “pro-Russian” and “Putin’s poodle,” arguing that he represents a threat to Croatia’s democracy and international reputation.
Milanovic has rejected these claims, stating that his main focus is to keep Croatia out of the Ukraine conflict.
Since the escalation of tensions between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022, the Croatian government has provided approximately €300 million in military aid to Ukraine, including the delivery of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Incumbent Croatian president Zoran Milanovic, recognized for his critical views on the EU and NATO, as well as his opposition to Western assistance for Ukraine, has achieved a significant victory securing a second term in office.
In the presidential runoff held on Sunday, Milanovic received 74.68% of the votes, decisively defeating his opponent Dragan Primorac from the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, according to the State Election Commission's announcement on Monday.
Voter turnout was reported at approximately 45% among the 3.5 million registered voters.
“It's a plebiscite message from the Croatian people to all those who ought to hear it, and I ask that they listen,” Milanovic declared during his victory speech.
Milanovic has been vocal in his criticism of Zagreb's support for Ukraine, characterizing the conflict as a NATO proxy war against Russia. Last year, he used his authority as the head of the armed forces to prevent the deployment of five Croatian officers to a NATO mission in Germany.
He affirmed his intention to act as “an equal participant in matters of foreign policy… In matters of defense and security, I will serve as the Commander-in-Chief—not as an equal, but as the highest-ranking authority—because that is what the Constitution stipulates.”
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has previously described Milanovic as “pro-Russian” and “Putin’s poodle,” arguing that he represents a threat to Croatia’s democracy and international reputation.
Milanovic has rejected these claims, stating that his main focus is to keep Croatia out of the Ukraine conflict.
Since the escalation of tensions between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022, the Croatian government has provided approximately €300 million in military aid to Ukraine, including the delivery of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
