(29 Dec 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Zagreb – 29 December 2024
1. Supporters of Croatian President Zoran Milanovic applauding at election headquarters
2. Milanovic arriving on stage with wife Sanja Music Milanovic
3. Supporters in crowd waving campaign flags
4. SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Zoran Milanovic, Croatian President:
“It cannot be allowed, that in this kind of complicated situation around us – and everywhere around us the situation is difficult, unclear – that, at least on some basic things – like war and peace, freedom, civilization, the issue of Croatia’s security, not only at schools, but also of our nation, our country, our borders – that all of us, political stakeholders, are not on the same page. There is no reason for this not to happen.”
5. Supporters chanting
6. SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Zoran Milanovic, Croatian President:
“With these words, wishes, emotions – which I cannot and won’t resist this evening after this excellent result – I have to, once again, thank everyone who supported me. I don’t hold it against anyone who didn’t, because everyone has a lot of faults, and so do I, that’s normal. I would invite everyone to get out and vote in the runoff, in even greater numbers. And I ask everyone to give me a show of trust, human trust, and faith, and I will do everything not to disappoint them.”
7. Wide of supporters applauding
8. Milanovic with wife on stage waving
9. Supporters in audience
10. Milanovic with wife on stage waving at supporters
11. Wide of stage at election headquarters
STORYLINE:
Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic thanked his supporters after winning most of the votes in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, but must face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term.
With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%.
In a speech at election headquarters in Zagreb, Milanovic said "I would invite everyone to get out and vote in the runoff, in even greater numbers."
"I ask everyone to give me a show of trust, human trust, and faith, and I will do everything not to disappoint them," he added.
Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of all 8 presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote.
Left-leaning Milanovic is an outspoken critic of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He is often compared to Donald Trump for his combative style of communication with political opponents.
Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme military commander.
His main rival in the election, Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East.” His presidency bid, however, has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and featured prominently in pre-election debates.
Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ed881bf8af894b30b3b970d5dcffabf4
Author: AP Archive
Go to Source
News post in January 4, 2025, 12:04 am.
Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News Post In – News
