Croats with mixed feelings after Milanović's re-election

Milanovic won more than 74 percent of the vote compared to his opponent, Dragan Primorac of the conservative HDZ party, who received almost 26 percent.

Croatians have mixed emotions after incumbent Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, a critic of the European Union and NATO, won re-election for another five-year term by a landslide in Sunday's second round of voting, writes Euronews. 

Milanovic won with 1,1 million votes, almost four times the number won by his opponent Dragan Primorac, backed by the ruling conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party, who won 380.000 votes.

The result is a major boost for Milanovic, who has been critical of Western military support for Ukraine as it defends itself against a full-scale Russian invasion, now in its third year.

Milanovic is also a staunch opponent of Croatian Prime Minister and HDZ leader Andrej Plenkovic and his government. His triumph sets the stage for continued political confrontation with Plenkovic, with whom he sparred during his first term.

Milanovic regularly accuses Plenkovic of systemic corruption, while Plenkovic labels the president as "pro-Russian" and a threat to Croatia's international standing.

Plenkovic after the heaviest defeat in HDZ history: We are not going to Milanovic's inauguration

Milanovic denied being pro-Moscow. However, last year he blocked the sending of five Croatian officers to the NATO mission in Germany, security assistance and training for Ukraine.

He also vowed never to approve sending Croatian troops as part of any NATO mission in Ukraine. Plenkovic and his government say that there is no such proposal.

Despite his limited powers, many believe the presidency is key to the political balance of power in the country, which has been largely ruled by the HDZ since gaining independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.

"It seems that we voted against HDZ, instead of Milanovic. Anyway, this is a good result, I like it. "I think (Milanovic) is crazy enough to go up against (Plenkovic) and actually achieve something," the Zagreb resident told The Associated Press.

Another resident of the Croatian capital said that Milanovic has both qualities and flaws, but that there is no problem with the current president holding the position.

"I listened to his statement this morning when he said he would extend a hand of reconciliation, bury the hatchet (with the government) and continue to do everything in accordance with the law. If that happens, that will be great. "

"But hey, maybe he changes his mind overnight and starts saying something different tomorrow, I don't know. You can't trust him. But what can you do."

"It's not the Europe I want to live and work in"

Speaking after the results were announced, Milanovic said his victory was a sign of approval and confidence from voters, but also presented a message "about the state of the country for those who need to hear it."

I ask them (the government) to hear that," said Milanovic. "That's what the citizens wanted to say, this is not just support for me."

Milanovic is the most popular politician in Croatia and is sometimes compared to US President-elect Donald Trump because of his combative style of communication with political opponents.

Milanovic also won comfortably in the first round of voting on December 29, leaving Primorac, a forensic scientist who previously ran unsuccessfully for president, and six other candidates far behind.

A runoff between the top two candidates was necessary as Milanović fell short of securing 50% of the vote by just 5.000 votes, while Primorac was far behind with 19%.

The election was held as Croatia, which has a population of 3,8 million, struggles with galloping inflation, corruption scandals and labor shortages.

Casting his vote on Sunday, Milanovic again criticized the EU as "in many ways undemocratic" and run by unelected officials.

The EU's attitude that "if you don't think like me, then you're an enemy" is tantamount to "mental violence", Milanovic said.

"That is not the modern Europe I want to live and work in," he said. "I will work to change it as much as I can as the president of a small nation."

Meanwhile, Primorac entered politics in the early 2000s when he was Minister of Science and Education in the HDZ-led government.

He ran unsuccessfully for president in 2009, and then focused mainly on his academic career, including lecturing at universities in the United States, China and Croatia.

"Zoran Milanović and I share completely different spiritual, moral, professional values, as well as ideas about the future of our country," he told his supporters in Zagreb.

"The decision was made by the citizens, democratically and as such it must be respected."

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