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Miroslav Skoro could pass in the second round against the outgoing nationalist president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (picture of illustration). AFP Photos / Denis Lovrovic

This Sunday, December 22, takes place the first round of the Croatian presidential election. In the running, 11 candidates, including the outgoing right-wing president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, lead the polls. Several anti-system personalities also appear, including a famous singer who seems to be in a good position.

With our regional correspondent, Laurent Rouy

In Croatia, the main left opponent Zoran Milanovic, is not guaranteed to go to the second round of the presidential election, against the very right-wing outgoing president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. A newcomer to politics, a popular singer named Miroslav Skoro, who defends an anti-system agenda, could upset the balance between nationalists and social democrats. Miroslav Skoro wants, once president, to dissolve the Parliament to open a new era in Croatia.

Milanovic in bad shape

Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic should still lead the first round. It is therefore second place that is at stake this Sunday, December 22. Skoro hopes for a better score than social democrat Zoran Milanovic. Milanovic certainly represents an alternation, but his unflattering results when he was Prime Minister, and his games of apparatus to eliminate the other tenors of his party have tarnished his image.

Croatia, which is due to take over the presidency of the European Union in January, could therefore be going through a period of turbulence when it comes to leading debates in Brussels. Zagreb notably advocates European enlargement to the Balkan countries. The clarity of the message will also depend on the outcome of the presidential election.

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