Milanovic speaks after election results are announced: "Let the better one win, and that's me"

Zoran Milanovic is the winner of the first round of presidential elections in Croatia, and after the results were announced, he addressed the public from his election headquarters.

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He and current President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic entered the second round of elections.

"Thank you everyone who voted for me, and to those who didn't. We are going into the second round. But we're not going to war, wars are over. I've been saying this from the beginning. We are going to a civilized civil game. Let the better one win. And that's me. In two weeks it will be what it will be. There is no bitterness or fear in me," he said.

As Milanovic said, in these two weeks until the run-off he will fight to persuade everyone who's first concern is Croatia's interest to take part the elections.

"This has been a difficult year for me, both professionally and privately. I toured the country many times and every time you see something new. Aware of all the limitations of the presidential office, and especially having served as prime minister, I find myself mature and willing and in good faith ready to do this job, but it is more than a job, it is a way of life. In a Croatia where I will be president nobody will feel like a second-class citizen. No one. I am aware that I am not to everyone's liking, but I will treat everyone as a human. I urge all those who went to the polls, but also those who didn't, to turn out and give me that little piece of faith without which I don't exist. I've been president of a large political party for ten years and that is why I thank the SDP for its support," said Milanovic.

According to almost 100 percent of the votes counted, Zoran Milanovic won 29.53 percent (542,225 votes), while Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic received 26.72 (493,195 votes).

According to Croatian media, based on results by city and district, Croatia is split into the east, which went to Skor, Zagreb, the northwest, Istria and Kavrner that voted for Milanovic, while Grabar Kitarovic dominated in Dalmatia and some districts in central Croatia.

(Telegraf.rs/Index.hr)