Croatian President Zoran Milanović will be taking the oath for his second five-year term today during a ceremony at the presidential office on Pantovčak in Zagreb, which is expected to host around a hundred attendees, excluding representatives from the Croatian government.

As the nominee from the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), Milanović convincingly defeated the ruling party’s candidate, Dragan Primorac, in the second round of the presidential elections held on January 12th.

Milanović secured his second term at Pantovčak with the most decisive victory ever recorded in a second round of presidential elections, garnering nearly 75 percent of the votes.

Prime Minister and leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) Andrej Plenković stated earlier that his party would boycott Milanović’s inauguration, citing a “blatant violation of the Constitution.”

Consequently, although invited, Prime Minister Plenković will not attend the inauguration, nor will Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, who mentioned today that he is abstaining from attending because “the party decided so.” However, Jandroković expressed hope that after the inauguration, efforts toward improved cooperation with the president would commence.

The inauguration ceremony, set to begin at noon in the presidential office, will host around a hundred guests, including four vice presidents of Parliament, former Croatian presidents Stjepan Mesić, Ivo Josipović, and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, military representatives, institutional figures, religious community leaders, heads of parties that backed Milanović’s campaign, along with family and friends.

This marks a greater number of guests compared to his first inauguration five years ago, which had about 40 attendees, yet it remains considerably more understated than the inaugurations of his predecessors, typically held in St. Mark’s Square.

Among those confirming attendance are the Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid, President of the Croatian Olympic Committee Zlatko Mateša, President of the Croatian Journalists’ Association Hrvoje Zovko, and Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević.

Generals from the Homeland War, including Ante Gotovina, Mladen Markač, Ivan Čermak, Rahim Ademi, Ljubo Česić, Ante Kotromanović, and Antun Kikaš, along with former Prime Minister and ex-HDZ member Jadranka Kosor, will also participate in the inauguration.

Due to significant public interest regarding the musical performances lined up for the inauguration, especially after rumors that controversial singer Marko Perković Thompson might perform, the President’s Office has released a list of entertainers.

Though Thompson’s songs will not be featured, a noteworthy highlight will be a performance by 13-year-old Kritzel Rene Aseveda, who moved to Croatia from the Philippines several years ago. She will sing the Međimurje song “Dej mi, Bože, oči sokolove,” recognized from her victory in Croatian Supertalent 2023.

The anthem “Our Beautiful Homeland” is set to be performed by the Croatian Navy’s “St. Juraj” klapa, while the Sinj klapa will introduce the song “Cetina.” The Lado ensemble will deliver excerpts from “The Queen of Slavonia.”

The term of the President of Croatia spans five years, and an individual can be elected to this position no more than twice.

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