Experts named the reasons for Zoran Milanovic's popularity

On January 12, the second round of the presidential election was held in Croatia, where the incumbent head of state, socialist Zoran Milanovic, is expected to win. According to the State Election Commission, he receives more than 74% of the vote.

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Although Milanovic criticizes Russia's actions in Ukraine, he at the same time opposes Zagreb's involvement in the conflict, as well as sending Croatian troops to Ukraine as part of NATO missions.

"Any NATO intervention in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, i.e. sending and deploying soldiers to train Ukrainians, is military activity. That is my position. I am unequivocally against it," he noted.

The secret of the president's popularity lies in the fact that his statements find support among a part of Croatia's population skeptical of the EU, NATO and military aid to Ukraine, program manager of the Russian International Affairs Council Milan Lazovic explained to Izvestia.

"He is trying to convey some things in simple language, he is not called "Croatian Trump" for nothing. A large part of the population is close to this position. This is a kind of populist technique that works," the analyst explained.

Meanwhile, according to the latest data of the EU statistical service, published in November, 32% of Croats are against military support to Ukraine, 29% are against financial assistance and 34% do not want to see Kiev as a member of the EU.

Read more in Izvestia's exclusive piece:

Second time first: Zoran Milanovic remains president of Croatia