Croatia Votes After Bitter PM-president Fight

Croatians voted for a new prime minister on Wednesday after a bitter campaign between the incumbent and a populist president who wants the job despite a court warning.

The showdown between conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and left-wing populist President Zoran Milanovic comes as the European Union nation wrestles with corruption, a labor shortage, the highest inflation rate in the eurozone and illegal migration.

For months, Plenkovic and his ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) seemed poised for an easy victory that would secure his third term as premier.

But in mid-March, Milanovic made the shock announcement that he would challenge Plenkovic and become candidate for the Social Democrats (SDP).

Milanovic was prime minister shortly before Plenkovic and his role as president is largely ceremonial.

Labelling the elections a "referendum on the country's future", the president urged citizens to "go out and vote for anyone but the HDZ".

Calling Plenkovic the "godfather of crime" Milanovic highlighted the recent appointment of the country's new chief prosecutor, a judge with alleged ties to corruption suspects.

"When one is dealing with thugs and savages who abuse their position then one has to use muscles and I know how to do that," Milanovic, 57, told reporters after voting in Zagreb.

Corruption has long been the Achilles heel for the HDZ.

Several of Plenkovic's ministers have stepped down following accusations and the anti-graft fight was key to Croatia's bid to join the EU in 2013.

Milanovic canvassed across Croatia despite the country's top court ruling that he could only stand in the election if he steps down as president first.

Plenkovic -- who has served as premier since 2016 -- accused his rival of violating the constitution, making hate speech and called him a "coward" for not resigning.

The prime minister stressed his role in guiding the country of 3.8 million people into the eurozone and Europe's passport-free Schengen area last year.

But with an average monthly wage of 1,240 euros ($1,345), the country remains one of the EU's poorest.

"Given the altered geopolitical context -- globally, Europe-wise, regionally -- Croatia needs serious, responsible people ... to be protected from all possible crises that may occur," Plenkovic, 54, said after voting in Zagreb.

Plenkovic has repeatedly accused Milanovic of being "pro-Russian" due to his criticism of EU backing for Ukraine against Russia's invasion and the president's opposition to training Ukrainian soldiers in Croatia.

The president tops political popularity surveys and his entrance into the campaign has boosted the SDP.

But no party is expected to secure an outright majority in the 151-seat assembly, according to polls. They indicate the HDZ will be the biggest party with about 30 percent of the vote.

The SDP follows with 20 percent while the nationalist right-wing Homeland Movement comes third, making it a possible kingmaker in forming a new government.

At 0930 GMT, four and a half hours after polls opened, turnout was 24 percent, the state electoral commission said.

That was six percentage points more than the same point during the 2020 vote.

The HDZ has ruled Croatia for most of the period since its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, while the SDP has been the opposition mainstay.

"HDZ has been in power for a little too long. Everything that lasts too long is not good," pensioner Damir Modric told AFP.

But for law student Tvrtko Bulaja, with an HDZ-led government "Croatia will continue its path of security, stability and prosperity".

Milanovic, who served as prime minister from 2011 to 2016, is known for his fiery rhetoric and profanity in tirades against HDZ opponents, EU officials and his critics.

His mandate expires in January but he said he would step down if the SDP and its allies secure a majority to form a new government.