The election highlighted political divisions in Croatia. Milanović consolidated support through direct rhetoric and a focus on sovereignty. In contrast, Primorac, perceived as politically unaffiliated despite being supported by the HDZ, struggled to mobilize sufficient backing, even among HDZ voters. Milanović successfully portrayed himself as an independent leader, which could pose long-term challenges for the SDP, given his departure from traditional social democratic positions.
The role of the Croatian president has been significantly diminished since constitutional reforms in 2000, with powers now primarily limited to representative and security-related functions. Nonetheless, presidential elections often serve as a platform for expressing public dissatisfaction with the government, highlighting the importance of the candidate's personal appeal.
In his second term, Milanović is expected to maintain his confrontational stance toward Plenković while addressing issues such as EU migration policies, the Schengen Area, and relations with NATO and the United States. The ongoing tension between the president and the government is likely to remain a defining feature of Croatia's political landscape in the years ahead.
The full-length country report is only available in German.
