Croatia will hold its presidential election on Dec. 22, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday.

The election will pit the incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, candidate of the ruling centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), against the candidate of the Social Democrats and former prime minister Zoran Milanovic. Two independent candidates also have solid support in the polls.

The job is largely ceremonial. The president cannot veto laws but has a say in foreign policy and defence.

According to the most recent opinion poll, in the first round of the vote, Grabar-Kitarovic can expect the support of some 29 per cent of voters, while Milanovic is second with 24 per cent.

Miroslav Skoro, the popular singer and largely seen as the candidate of the right-wing nationalist conservatives, came third with 17 per cent and a former judge Mislav Kolakusic got 14 per cent.

Altogether around a dozen people voiced their intention to run for the presidency, among them a showbiz celebrity who was also a Playboy model. They all now have to collect 10,000 signatures of citizens in the next 10 days to confirm their candidacy.

Grabar-Kitarovic's five-year term is seen by some observers as having little policy substance domestically while often trying to promote her popularity through populist patriotic rhetoric.

She has been somewhat more concrete in foreign policy, promoting the so-called "Three Seas Initiative", a stage for boosting political and economic ties between the European Union members in central and eastern Europe.

If no one wins an outright majority in the first round, the second round will take place on Jan. 5, 2020.

The results of the presidential election will also be an early indication of the mood among the voters ahead of the parliamentary election due to take place in late 2020.

Croatia will hold its presidential election on Dec. 22, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday. The election will pit the incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, candidate of the ruling centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), against the candidate of the Social Democrats and former prime minister Zoran Milanovic.

Croatia will hold its presidential election on Dec. 22, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday. The election will pit the incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, candidate of the ruling centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), against the candidate of the Social Democrats and former prime minister Zoran Milanovic. Two independent candidates also have solid support in the polls. The job is largely ceremonial. The president cannot veto laws but has a say in foreign policy and defence. According to the most recent opinion poll, in the first round of the vote, Grabar-Kitarovic can expect the support of some 29 per cent of voters, while Milanovic is second with 24 per cent. Miroslav Skoro, the popular singer and largely seen as the candidate of the right-wing nationalist conservatives, came third with 17 per cent and a former judge Mislav Kolakusic got 14 per cent. Altogether around a dozen people voiced their intention to run for the presidency, among them a showbiz celebrity who was also a Playboy model. They all now have to collect 10,000 signatures of citizens in the next 10 days to confirm their candidacy. Grabar-Kitarovic's five-year term is seen by some observers as having little policy substance domestically while often trying to promote her popularity through populist patriotic rhetoric. She has been somewhat more concrete in foreign policy, promoting the so-called "Three Seas Initiative", a stage for boosting political and economic ties between the European Union members in central and eastern Europe. If no one wins an outright majority in the first round, the second round will take place on Jan. 5, 2020. The results of the presidential election will also be an early indication of the mood among the voters ahead of the parliamentary election due to take place in late 2020.

Croatia to hold presidential vote on December 22: PM Plenkovic

According to the preliminary results of Croatia&#39;s&nbsp;elections on Sunday, the&nbsp;country looked set for a lengthy coalition horse-trading after voters declined to bring in a clear majority. 
 
Less than a year ago, within five months in power, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ)-led coalition government had broken down owing to a conflict of interest scandal. This is the second ballot which may lead to another coalition. 
 
Early today, the 60 per cent votes counted pointed to HDZ winning over 61 seats while opposition Social Democrats (SDP) having 54. The centre-right party Most (the Bridge) stood third with 13 seats. 
 
Securing a majority in the 151-seat parliament may be difficult for HDZ. 
 
A low voter turnout indicated that the Croatians&nbsp;had lost interest in the voting process following a year of political deadlock which blocked reforms. 
 
The economy needs to emerge from a six-year recession, with an unemployment rate of 13 per cent, public debt up to 85 per cent of GDP and deficient investment climate. 
 
The previous coalition made a significant shift to the right, attacking the Serbs and putting restrictions on the media which further strained its ties with Serbia. 
 
However, the HDZ is now banking on Andrej Plenkovic, a more moderate leader who could gain support from the Serbs, AFP noted. 
 
Former member of the European parliament Plenkovic vowed to move from extremism and populism to the center-right. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m certain that we are the party that will have the privilege to form the next stable Croatian government,&quot; Plenkovic said today. 
 
Former prime minister Zoran Milanovic and Plenkovic&#39;s rival, however, said, &quot;It is too early to call the result.&quot; 
 
He also emphasised the need for a stable government, calling the previous government an &quot;unstable and destructive one.&quot; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

As per the 60 per cent votes counted, HDZ had 61 seats, while opposition SDP had 54; centre-right party Most came third with 13 seats

According to the preliminary results of Croatia's elections on Sunday, the country looked set for a lengthy coalition horse-trading after voters declined to bring in a clear majority. Less than a year ago, within five months in power, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ)-led coalition government had broken down owing to a conflict of interest scandal. This is the second ballot which may lead to another coalition. Early today, the 60 per cent votes counted pointed to HDZ winning over 61 seats while opposition Social Democrats (SDP) having 54. The centre-right party Most (the Bridge) stood third with 13 seats. Securing a majority in the 151-seat parliament may be difficult for HDZ. A low voter turnout indicated that the Croatians had lost interest in the voting process following a year of political deadlock which blocked reforms. The economy needs to emerge from a six-year recession, with an unemployment rate of 13 per cent, public debt up to 85 per cent of GDP and deficient investment climate. The previous coalition made a significant shift to the right, attacking the Serbs and putting restrictions on the media which further strained its ties with Serbia. However, the HDZ is now banking on Andrej Plenkovic, a more moderate leader who could gain support from the Serbs, AFP noted. Former member of the European parliament Plenkovic vowed to move from extremism and populism to the center-right. "I'm certain that we are the party that will have the privilege to form the next stable Croatian government," Plenkovic said today. Former prime minister Zoran Milanovic and Plenkovic's rival, however, said, "It is too early to call the result." He also emphasised the need for a stable government, calling the previous government an "unstable and destructive one." (WION with inputs from agencies)

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Croatia to hold presidential vote on December 22: PM Plenkovic

Conservatives take lead in Croatia's election