Croatian presidential election heads to runoff

Croatia's presidential election will head to a runoff on January 12 as no candidate secured more than half of the votes in Sunday's election, the Croatian State Election Commission (SEC) has announced.

With 99.88 percent of votes counted, incumbent President Zoran Milanovic, backed by the largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, led the race with 49.10 percent, narrowly missing a first-round victory. His main challenger, Dragan Primorac of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, garnered 19.35 percent, according to the SEC.

Under Croatian election law, if no candidate wins an outright majority, the top two contenders proceed to a runoff two weeks later.

Addressing his supporters, Milanovic expressed gratitude and confidence in securing victory. "I believe that in two weeks we will celebrate victory," he said.

Primorac, a 59-year-old physician and scientist returning to politics after 15 years, campaigned as a "unifier" promoting family values and patriotism.

Speaking to his supporters, Primorac called the runoff "a great opportunity."

"Now a great opportunity is coming. Milanovic and I will be one on one, so we will see who knows what and represents what," he said. "Croatia needs changes, and in two weeks it will be a historic day."

The election came as the European Union and NATO member country of 3.8 million people struggles with biting inflation and a labor shortage.

The Croatian president serves a five-year term and can seek re-election once.

(With input from Xinhua)