Milanovic, a former left-wing prime minister, took over the presidency in 2020 with the backing of the principle opposition Social Democrats (SDP) occasion.
A key determine within the nation’s political scene for almost 20 years, he has more and more employed offensive, populist rhetoric throughout frequent assaults geared toward EU and native officers.
“Milanovic is a type of a political omnivore,” political analyst Zarko Puhovski advised AFP, saying the president was largely seen because the “solely, at the least symbolic, counterbalance to the federal government and Plenkovic’s energy”.
The no-holds-barred talking model has despatched Milanovic’s reputation hovering and helped appeal to the backing of right-wing supporters.
On Thursday, he referred to as on voters to “to not let the president be elected by Plenkovic, who desires a pushover who will perform his private will” – a reference to Primorac.
Milanovic commonly pans the HDZ over the occasion’s perennial issues with corruption, whereas additionally referring to Plenkovic as “Brussels’ clerk”.
INSULTS FLY
Primorac, a former training and science minister returning to politics after a 15-year absence, has campaigned as a unifier for Croatia.
“Primorac is an ample individual with good worldwide ties and he would obtain a lot better worldwide cooperation for Croatia,” Djuro Nezicic, a 62-year-old pensioner, advised AFP after he voted in Zagreb.
However critics say the 59-year-old profession educational and businessman lacks political charisma and has didn’t rally the HDZ base behind him.
He accuses Milanovic of being a “pro-Russian puppet” who has undermined Croatia’s credibility in NATO and the European Union.
Milanovic condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine however has additionally criticised the West’s navy assist for Kyiv.
He’s additionally a distinguished opponent of a programme that will have seen Croatian troopers assist practice Ukrainian troops in Germany.
Through the marketing campaign, the 2 rivals have traded frequent insults.
Milanovic mentioned his rival had the “mind of a pigeon and never a crow, which is clever”, whereas Primorac referred to as the president a “shame” and a “coward”.
