Zoran Milanovic

Zoran Milanovic

Croatian statesman and politician, current President of Croatia since 19 February 2020
Date of Birth: 30.10.1966
Country: Croatia

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Career in Government and International Relations
  3. Political Career
  4. Rise in the SDP
  5. Parliamentary Elections and the Kukuriku Coalition
  6. Presidency

Early Life and Education

Zoran Milanović was born on October 30, 1966, in Sinj, southern Croatia. In his youth, he was known for his rebellious nature and propensity for fighting. He graduated from the Center for Management and Justice high school and went on to obtain a law degree with honors from the University of Zagreb.

Career in Government and International Relations

After completing his studies, Milanović worked at a Zagreb court and later joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993. Ironically, he was hired by his future political opponent and later Prime Minister, Ivo Sanader. A year later, Milanović was deployed by the OSCE to Nagorno-Karabakh. In 1996, he became an adviser to the Croatian mission to the EU and NATO in Brussels, where he also completed his postgraduate studies.

Political Career

In 1999, Milanović returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and began his political career. He joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which was founded on the basis of the League of Communists of Croatia. After the SDP's victory in the 2000 elections, Milanović oversaw NATO relations at the Foreign Ministry. Three years later, he became assistant to Foreign Affairs Minister Tonino Picula.

Rise in the SDP

Following the victory of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in the 2003 elections, Milanović left this position. In 2004, he was elected to the central committee of the SDP, and two years later he became the party's press secretary for a short time.

After the death of SDP leader Ivica Račan, Milanović ran for the position of party chairman. His nomination was met with applause, and it is believed that Račan supported Milanović as the "new force" needed in the party. On June 2, 2007, Milanović was elected chairman of the SDP at the party's tenth extraordinary congress.

Parliamentary Elections and the Kukuriku Coalition

Under Milanović's leadership, the SDP's popularity soared, and many predicted its victory in the 2007 parliamentary elections. However, the HDZ emerged victorious once again, with Milanović becoming the main leader of the opposition in parliament.

In 2011, Milanović formed the Kukuriku electoral coalition, which included the SDP, the Croatian People's Party, the Istrian Democratic Assembly, and the Croatian Pensioners' Party. The coalition achieved a convincing victory in the December 4, 2011 parliamentary elections, winning the majority of seats.

Presidency

In 2019, Milanović ran for President of Croatia and went to the second round, receiving the most votes (29.5%) and surpassing incumbent President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović (26.7%). He emerged victorious in the second round and was elected President of Croatia. On February 18, 2020, he took office, becoming the fifth President of Croatia since independence.

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