Croatians vote to elect a new president in a largely ceremonial role, with incumbent Zoran Milanovic leading polls against main challenger Dragan Primorac.
Polling stations across Croatia opened at 06:00 GMT on Sunday to elect the country's new president, a mainly ceremonial office, in a race where candidates from the two biggest parties are the main contenders.
Around 3.8 million Croats are eligible to cast votes for one out of a total of eight candidates, three of whom are women, ranging from left to the right on the political spectrum.
Incumbent President Zoran Milanovic, the opposition Socialist Democrats' candidate, will run for a second term. His main challenger is Dragan Primorac, a former science minister backed by the governing Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).
The election will go to a second round if none of the candidates wins a majority of the vote.
Milanovic has led in opinion polls before and after the election campaign which analysts described as dull and uninspiring. The latest poll published on Friday by Nova TV Daily News showed Milanovic leading with 37.2% support against Primorac with 20.4% support.
The next in line are two women - independent candidate Marija Selak Raspudic and Ivana Kekin of the We Can! (Mozemo) left-wing, green political party, who have garnered about 10% support each in the poll.
Polling stations close at 1800 GMT, and exit polls are expected minutes later. The first preliminary results will be known around 1900 GMT and official results are expected in the following days.
The presidential role is to a large extent ceremonial as the head of state cannot veto laws, but has a say in foreign policy, defence and security matters.
During his term, Milanovic, a former prime minister and a populist, has confronted Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic over foreign and public policies, with insults often traded between the two men.
Croatia’s ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has emerged as the dominant force in the country’s second round of local elections, securing a series of key mayoral and regional victories, according to results reported by local media Monday.
Political dialogue between Azerbaijan and Croatia creates a strong foundation for expanding cooperation in various fields.
Serbia has expressed concerns over the increasing military cooperation between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia, formalized with the signing of a declaration in Tirana on Tuesday. Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered the military alliance as a "provocation".
Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia have signed the Trilateral Declaration on Military Alliance.
Croatia holds a presidential run-off, with incumbent Zoran Milanovic leading in polls against Dragan Primorac.
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Ukraine says a new prisoner exchange with Russia involving 1,000 troops from each side will begin next week.
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A year after unveiling its bold AI strategy, Apple finds itself in an unexpected place — not at the forefront, but falling behind. As rivals accelerate, Apple stands at a crossroads.
Donald Trump’s missile defence plan, called the Golden Dome, is set to become one of the most expensive military projects in U.S. history. Let’s take a look at how it has become a reason of rivalry, between Silicon Valley’s tech disruptors and America’s traditional defence giants.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
Ukraine says a new prisoner exchange with Russia involving 1,000 troops from each side will begin next week.
A plane carrying 20 people has crashed in Tennessee, injuring six people but causing no deaths.
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