Croatian President Zoran Milanovic looks set for reelection but fails to avoid run-off

Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic will face conservative rival Dragan Primorac in an election run-off in two weeks' time after the incumbent narrowly missed out an outright victory on Sunday, official results showed.

Incumbent President Zoran Milanovic won the most votes in the first round of Croatia's presidential election on Sunday but fell just short of a majority and will have to go to a second round, results from the State Electoral Commission (DIP) showed.

Milanovic, the opposition Social Democrats' candidate, won 49.1% support after ballots from all polling stations had been counted. His main challenger Dragan Primorac - the candidate of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) - won 19.35% support.

The two men will face each other in the second round of voting on Jan. 12.

Independent candidate Marija Selak Raspudic came third with 9.25% support.

The post of president is mostly ceremonial. The president cannot veto laws, but has a say in foreign policy, defence and security matters.

Milanovic, who is known for his harsh criticism of the government, sent a reconciliatory message, saying he will offer a hand to the government at a time of uncertainty.

"I will fight for a Croatia with attitude ... a Croatia which cares about its interests," he told supporters. "I am convinced that we are unstoppable in heading towards the victory."

Around 3.8 million Croats were eligible to vote, choosing from eight candidates across the political spectrum. The turnout was 46%, the DIP said.

(Reuters)

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