Analysis

Croatian presidential election set for December 22

The date of the first round of Croatia’s presidential election has been set for December 22, the country’s prime minister Andrej Plenković has announced.

The incumbent president, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, is widely expected to win a second term in office, but faces competition from Zoran Milanovic, a former prime minister and leader of the ruling Social Democratic party.

According to the latest opinion poll, Mrs Grabar-Kitarović can count on 28.6 per cent of the vote, Mr Milanovic 24.3 per cent.

They are followed by pop-folk musician turned politician Miroslav Škoro at 16.7 per cent and the MEP Mislav Kolakušić at 14 per cent.

The second round of the election will be held on January 5, 2020.