Croatia’s tense election showdown between departing prime minister and incumbent president

The Croatian parliamentary elections are heating up as the country heads to the polls to elect a new parliament. The race is between two rival establishment figures – outgoing Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of the conservative Croatian Democratic Union and current President Zoran Milanović of the Social Democrats, backed by an alliance of centrist and left-wing parties.

The stakes are high in this election, not just for Croatia’s domestic trajectory but also for the EU’s unity in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The outcome of the election could determine whether Croatia continues on a pro-Western course supporting Ukraine or shifts towards stronger pro-Russia influence.

The campaign has been intense, with accusations of political sabotage and violations of the constitution flying between the two candidates. Milanović, often described as a populist, has defied a ruling by the Croatian constitutional court that he cannot run for prime minister while serving as president.

Despite the controversy, the latest polls suggest that the Conservative party is likely to remain in power but may lose its majority. Observers note the absence of key themes like the economy and security in the debates, with the focus squarely on the personalities of Plenković and Milanović.

As the polls remain open until Wednesday evening, all eyes are on Croatia to see which establishment figure will come out on top and shape the country’s future. The results are expected to be announced on Thursday, with the president likely to play a significant role in the formation of the new government.