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Firebrand populist wins chance to steer Croatia away from pro-EU and pro-Ukraine path
Croatia’s maverick president, Zoran Milanović, has emerged as a significant force in the country’s general election, positioning himself to play a key role in shaping the next government. His provocative remarks and skepticism towards the EU and NATO have fueled his sudden surge in popularity.
Quick Facts
- Zoran Milanović, known for his criticism of the EU and NATO, has gained significant support in Croatia’s general election.
- Preliminary results show Milanović’s party in second place, with the potential to influence the country’s political direction.
- The election campaign was marked by intense verbal sparring between Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of the HDZ.
Milanović’s party is well short of an outright majority but is poised to have a consequential voice in remolding Zagreb’s political direction. His rhetoric, which includes denouncing the Ukrainian wartime chant “Glory to Ukraine” and rejecting the EU’s influence on Croatian politics, has resonated with the public, leading to record support for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
With neither party securing an outright majority in the 151-strong parliament, coalitions with either right-wing or left-wing parties that passed the threshold will be necessary. The campaign was marked by personal animosities between Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of the HDZ, shifting the focus away from political platforms.
Milanović’s transformation from a relatively conventional politician to a media spectacle included hurling coarse language at his political opponents, drawing unprecedented divisions among the electorate. His possible return to the prime ministerial position has drawn comparisons to a “Slovak scenario,” with his pro-Russian stances and opposition to the bloc’s unified policy on Ukraine.
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