Croatia's incumbent president gains most votes for re-election, but not enough to avoid a runoff

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic won 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%.

Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote.

Milanovic thanked his supporters but warned “this was just a first run.”

“Let’s not be triumphant, let’s be realistic, firmly on the ground,” he said. “We must fight all over again. It’s not over till it’s over.”

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.

The most popular politician in Croatia, 58-year-old Milanović has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, he has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and continuous sparring between the two has lately marked Croatia’s political scene.

Plenković, the prime minister, has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and NATO. He has labeled Milanović “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing.

“The difference between him and Milanović is quite simple: Milanović is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said.

Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme military commander.

Milanović has criticized the NATO and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, though it is a member of both NATO and the EU.

Milanović has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a NATO-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war.”

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.

During the election campaign, Primorac has sought to portray himself as a unifier and Milanović as divisive.

Primorac was upbeat despite such a big defeat in the first round.

“I know the difference (in votes) at first sight seems very big,” said Primorac, who insisted that the center-right votes had split among too many conservative candidates.

“Now we have a great opportunity to face each other one on one and show who stands for what,” he said.

Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.

Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic greets the media after his vote during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

A man casts his ballot during presidential elections, at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Ivana Kekin, left-green candidate of the (Mozemo) "We Can" party casts her ballot during presidential elections, at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic casts his ballot during presidential elections, at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic speaks to the media after casting his ballot during presidential elections, at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

A woman prepares her ballot during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Ivana Kekin, left-green candidate of the (Mozemo) "We Can" arrives at a polling station during presidential elections in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic prepares his ballot during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

A man casts his ballot during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Dragan Primorac, the candidate of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) arrives at a polling station during a presidential election in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Dragan Primorac, the candidate of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) prepares his ballot during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Dragan Primorac, the candidate of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) speaks to the media after casting his ballot during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Dragan Primorac, the candidate of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) poses as he casts his ballot during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Dragan Primorac, the candidate of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) casts his ballot during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

A member of the election commission sets the coat of arms during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

A man casts his ballot during a presidential election at a polling station in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

GHENT, Belgium (AP) — Finally coming to a halt on Tuesday — the last day of 2024 — Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne felt she had done all to take the world record as the first woman to run a marathon every single day of the year.

Weary but seemingly far from exhausted from the weight of relentless marathon running, Dosogne emerged from the cold, grey light to cross the line as a throng of fellow runners celebrated an extraordinary feat.

“I'm glad it's over,” she said after crossing the line on the last day, leaving the last crash of many behind her when she collided with a spectator during her final run.

On top of the reward for her perseverance in running at least 15,444 kilometers in a single year, the 55-year-old also raised some 60,000 euros ($62, 438) in funds for breast cancer research.

Now comes the filing of GPS data, photo and video evidence and independent witness reports she had to collect daily to meet the requirements of the Guinness World Records organization. If approved, the record should be officially hers in about three months.

The 55-year-old would join Hugo Farias, the Brazilian who holds the male record of 366 days, which he achieved in São Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 28, 2023.

In the female category, Dosogne would be in a league all her own, since the current record by Erchana Murray-Bartlett of Australia stands at 150 days since Jan. 16, 2023.

One thing is sure: she doesn't want her feat to become a shining example of healthy living — more one of personal persistence, as she had to fight off the flu, COVID-19, a dozen-plus crashes, blisters and even bursitis. Overall though, the brain took the toughest beating.

“The mental strain is harder than the physical. Of course, physically, everything has to be okay. Otherwise, you can’t run for four hours every day. But it was more mental to be there at the start-line every day,” she told The Associated Press.

Dosogne was able to do the majority of her marathons on a flat loop around a stretch of water, just outside the university town of Ghent, where a strong headwind could be her toughest competitor.

Even there, she said, she would not take any statistical risks and instead of the 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) a day, she made sure her run stood at 42.5 km — just for safe measure with the Guinness administrators.

Dosogne wishes she could have stretched her days the same way.

As a bio-engineer at a chemical firm, she starts especially early so she could squeeze in a marathon every afternoon. And because she could not run at top speed every single day, she stuck to an easy 10 kph (6.2 mph), which also allowed friends and witnesses to run along.

The only time when her daughter Lucie felt she might not make it was the day she crashed after 27 kilometers, had to be taken to the emergency ward with a dislocated finger, and spent far too much time there to be allowed to finish the marathon by the regulation. The solution? “She started from scratch again,” said Lucie.

“It's still a little bit crooked,” said Dosogne.

Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne, center, is cheered on as she crosses the finish line during her 366th consecutive marathon in Ghent, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne, center, is interviewed after crossing the finish line of her 366th consecutive marathon in Ghent, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne, center, runs with the pack during her 366th consecutive marathon in Ghent, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne, center, runs during her 366th consecutive marathon in Ghent, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne runs with the pack during her 366th consecutive marathon in Ghent, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne, center, is cheered on as she crosses the finish line during her 366th consecutive marathon in Ghent, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne, center, hugs her daughter Lucie after crossing the finish line of her 366th consecutive marathon in Ghent, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne, center, blows out candles on a cake after crossing the finish line of her 366th consecutive marathon in Ghent, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne, center, is cheered on as she crosses the finish line during her 366th consecutive marathon in Ghent, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)