Croatia's incumbent president Zoran Milanović wins the first round of the presidential elections with 49.11% after counting more than 99% of the polling stations, Hina reports.
In the second round, the Social Democrat will face Croatian Democratic Community (HDZ) candidate Dragan Primorac, who won 19.36% of the vote.
The second round of the presidential elections will take place on 12 January.
"Dear friends, Croatian people, citizens, thank you from the bottom of my heart in all cities, counties, abroad and in Bosnia and Herzegovina for this 49%, which for me is not just a number, but a pledge and a common cup from which we will drink together." Milanović stated from the Zagreb Culture Factory, where he was greeted by the gathered representatives and supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and partner parties with loud applause and shouts of "Zoki, Zoki".
He ascended the rostrum, accompanied by his wife Sanja, to the traditional rhythms of the song "Treblebass" by the band Svadbas, and the speech was interrupted by the crowd chanting "victory".
"Five years ago I gave my hand and I will do it again to those who are most responsible for Croatia, namely the government and the authorities, and on this occasion I will not talk about them or the person I will be competing against in the second round," he said.
According to the State Election Commission (SEC), after counting 99.78% of the polling stations, the independent Maria Selak Raspudic won 9.25% of the votes, while the candidate of the party "We Can!" Ivana Kekin received 8.88% of the votes.
Independent Tomislav Jnić received 5.07% and Most's candidate Miro Bulj won 3.82%.
Zoran Milanovic won 795 758 votes and Dragan Primorac 313 813 votes. | BGNES
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