Zagreb, 30 December 2024 (Hina/MIA) — Croatia's incumbent president and SDP candidate Zoran Milanović, after advancing to the presidential runoff, said on Sunday that the results so far were excellent, urging voters to turn out in even greater numbers in two weeks.

After he won over 49% of the vote in the first round of the presidential elections, Milanović said that he was confident that "we are unstoppably heading towards victory."

"Dear friends, Croatian people, citizens, thank you from the bottom of my heart in all the cities, counties, abroad, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina for these 49%. This is not just a number; it's a pledge and a shared cup from which we will drink together," Milanović said at his campaign headquarters in Zagreb.

With 49.10% of the vote, according to the results from the State Electoral Commission with almost all polling stations counted, Milanović will face HDZ candidate Dragan Primorac in the second round, which is set to take place on Jan. 12. Primorac received 19.35% of the votes.

"My passion has been recognised by many of our people"

"This moment is important for Croatia, for the region, for the world, and what I will fight for is a Croatia with a stance, a Croatia that is aware of its interests, a country that knows that what happens here is the only thing that matters," Milanović said.

"I will fight for the rule of law, against the usurpation of power, against abuses by authorities that harm human nature and property, and against assaults on human dignity in general."

"Thank you for doing those small, invisible technical jobs without which I wouldn’t be here today, not just today, but never, because I've never seen politics as a tool for personal goals but as a higher mission, a calling. I still feel that way today, and I believe that many of our people have recognised that passion," Milanović said.

Milanović said Sunday was only "the first run of the presidential race."

"Let's not be triumphalists, let's be realists, aware that we have to fight anew.

"I am convinced we are heading toward victory unstoppably, not necessarily humbly, but politely and decently," he said.

"I believe the fight will be tough, but in two weeks, we’ll celebrate victory here. The vast majority of our people want that little bit of predictability, that when they leave their homes, their day will end as expected, that their children will return safely from school, and that they will have something to live on.

"This is a great result, and I thank everyone who supported me. To those who didn't, I don't hold it against them, but I invite them to turn out in even greater numbers in the second round and give me their trust. I will do everything not to disappoint them this time because behind me is a long journey, experience, years of work, and everything that makes a statesman," he said.

Milanović believes he is "far ahead of those who challenge me." He wished all citizens the best in the New Year as well as peace, security, and "blessed boredom" for Croatia.