Croatian President Zoran Milanović has won a second term in office, according to preliminary results, with 98.65 per cent of polling stations reporting.

According to the preliminary results, Milanović won 74.58 per cent of the vote against 25.42 per cent for his rival, Dragan Primorac of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).

Voter turnout in today’s election was 44.15 per cent.

This is a great day for me personally, and I see this victory as a recognition of my work and a kind of people’s trust in me,” Milanović told his supporters.

The position of president in Croatia is largely honourable. The head of state cannot veto legislation, but has a role in foreign policy, security and defence.