Incumbent seeks to keep hold on rule in Croatia election

ZAGREB, Croatia — Croatia’s bitterly contested presidential race is headed for a runoff this weekend to decide whether a conservative or a liberal will become the new head of state while the country holds the European Union presidency for the first time.

Incumbent President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic from the governing conservative party is facing leftist former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic in what analysts say could be a highly unpredictable and tight vote on Sunday.

The two made it into the runoff following the first round of voting on Dec. 22. Milanovic, 53, had a slight lead over Grabar Kitarovic, 51, but opinion polls suggest there’s no clear favorite.

The presidency is viewed as a the weaker post compared to the prime minister, yet the president still formally commands the army and represents the country abroad.

In addition, the president is chosen in a direct public vote, which gives the head of state political weight and a important voice on key topics in society.

This presidential election is important because it could shake up the political scene in Croatia during a crucial EU presidency that will include presiding over Britain’s departure from the bloc and the start of post-Brexit trade negotiations. The EU presidency rotates among the bloc’s 28 members every six months, and since Croatia only joined the EU in 2013, this is the country’s first time at the helm.

The vote also is a test for the ruling Croatian Democratic Union party ahead of this year’s parliamentary election. An opposition victory on Sunday from Croatia’s 3.8 million voters would be a blow for the conservatives, weakening their grip on power.

Milanovic came out ahead after the first round of balloting, trailed by Grabar Kitarovic and right-wing singer Miroslav Skoro, who...