Croatian voters re-elected Zoran Milanovic after winning nearly three-quarters of the vote in the country’s presidential election.

It was a frustrating result for his opponent Dragan Primorak, who is backed by the ruling center-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).

Primorak received 25% of the vote – the worst result ever for Croatia’s most powerful political force.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic reacted coolly to the results.

He refused to congratulate the winner, insisting “Milanovic had nothing to offer”.

Milanovic said he would “lend a helping hand” to the prime minister.

Croatian presidents fulfill a largely ceremonial role – the constitution insists they must not be party politicians but should serve as heads of state for all citizens.

Milanovic has frequently criticized the ruling party on issues such as corruption, inflation and health care.

While he has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he has also frequently criticized Western military support for Kiev.

forward become presidentMilanovic served as Croatia’s prime minister from 2011 to 2016 and led the center-left Social Democratic Party (SDP) from 2007 to 2016.

Last year, he briefly intervened in the country’s parliamentary elections, declaring He will run for prime ministerbefore a court ruled the move unconstitutional.

In response, he accused the judges of taking orders from HDZ – a “mafia syndicate”, in his words.

For more than 30 years since Croatia became independent, the ruling HDZ has been the ruling party.