Zagreb, Croatia - January 12, 2025 Storyline: Incumbent Croatian President Zoran Milanovic convincingly won the presidential runoff held on Sunday, beating his rival Dragan Primorac with a commanding lead, according to the Croatian State Election Commission (SEC). With 99.7 percent of the votes processed, Milanovic garnered 74.68 percent, leaving Primorac far behind with only 25 percent, the SEC reported. After official results confirmed a landslide victory on Sunday night, Milanovic hit the stage in his election headquarters to address his supporters. He thanked voters for giving him nearly 75 percent of the votes, saying that the victory reflected recognition of his leadership over the past five years and served as a warning to the government led by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) to listen to the people's voices better. Milanovic also called for cooperation between him, who supported by the Social Democratic Party - the largest opposition party, and the Croatian government. The first round of the Croatian presidential election was held on December 29, 2024, but none of the eight candidates received a majority of the vote. The two leading candidates -- Milanovic with 49.09 percent of the vote and Primorac with 19.35 percent -- advanced to the second round. Milanovic's victory wasn't a surprise, not even for his opponent Primorac. Ahead of the Sunday runoff, the latest polls had forecasted Milanovic's victory, with 62.5 percent of respondents expressing support for Milanovic compared to 27.8 percent for Primorac, supported by the HDZ. Earlier on Sunday, after casting his own ballot, Primorac addressed journalists, giving excuses about the likely loss to come. There are more than 3.7 million legitimate voters in Croatia, and the turnout rate in the runoff is about 44.15 percent, the SEC said. A Croatian president serves a five-year term and can seek re-election once. Shotlist: Zagreb, Croatia - Jan 12, 2025: 1. Various of 1st exit polls being announced in election headquarters of Croatian President Zoran Milanovic; supporters cheering, waving flags; 2. Various of Milanovic stepping onto stage, waving hands to supporters; supporters cheering, waving flags; 3. SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Zoran Milanovic, Croatian President: "The government holds the highest responsibility for this country. And I am urging them to hear that. That's the message Croatian citizens are sending them this evening. I don't consider this as support for me. Let's not kid ourselves, nobody gets 75 percent support. It is just at this moment, and just today." 4. Various of presidential candidate Dragan Primorac casting ballot at polling station, posing for photos; 5. Primorac walking to media, speaking; 6. Camera crew; 7. SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Dragan Primorac, presidential candidate: "In this short time, I tried to present myself to the voters in the best possible way. In these very strange elections, I would say at the very least, there were never so many untruths told; it wasn't easy to get by." 8. Various of voters at polling station; 9. Various of voters casting ballot; 10. Ballot box. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]