Why does Škoro need Milanović to win?

By Rasim Belko

---

Two days separate neighboring Croatia from the decision on the new president of the country. In the race are the right-oriented Kolinda Grabar Kitarović (HDZ) and the conditionally speaking leftist Zoran Milanović. 

The battle between two diametrically opposed sides has entered its final phase. The tension is rising as if it were the last penalty kick in the Champions League final. 

For Croatia, it might well be. Our neighbors have taken over the presidency of the European Union. Therefore, in addition to internal influence, which the president realistically has too much of in Croatia, the leader of the Beautiful Homeland will be responsible for developments across the entire continent. One election, two different paths. 

However, this year's electoral paradox is that the elections will not be decided by the supporters of one of the two candidates. 

Milanović and Grabar Kitarović have their supporters and party infrastructure, but both know that this will not be enough for them. 

Therefore, they will need the support of voters of those candidates who were eliminated in the first round of the Croatian presidential elections. 

The first among them is Miroslav Škoro. Although he belongs to the right-wing political scene, it sometimes seems that the singer Škoro is more to the left than Milanović himself. 

Škoro first experienced politics back in 2007, when he entered the Croatian Parliament. However, after only eight months, he gave up and handed over his parliamentary mandate to someone else. As he stated at the time, he left Parliament disappointed by the fact that all politicians are perceived as thieves. 

And it seems that among active Croatian politicians, Škoro is part of that minority that has "stolen" the least from the people's money. He donated his parliamentary salary to charity, and he returned his HDZ party card in 2012, stating that HDZ's policy at the time had nothing to do with life. 

It is very likely that Škoro still thinks the same about HDZ's policy today, which is why he ran in the presidential elections. And he achieved success, winning almost half a million votes. 

Although analysts in Croatia consider him a right-wing populist and a Croatian example of the Austrian Freedom Party, Škoro, if he wants to continue playing a political role, could profit significantly from the second round of elections. 

We have already mentioned what Škoro thinks of HDZ's policy. Therefore, he should, if not publicly, then with a nod or a shake of his head, indicate to his supporters that Zoran Milanović is a better path for Croatia. And there are quite a few who follow and support him. He took Zagreb, or rather snatched it from Kolinda Grabar Kitarović. 

Without the support of Škoro's votes, even if they do not vote for the HDZ candidate, Milanović will have difficulty achieving a winning result. I am somehow convinced that the victory of Milanović suits both Škoro and his supporters more. Because, as much as they dislike Milanović, what HDZ is doing in Croatia certainly hurts them. For clarification, something similar to what SDA is doing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are driving away the youth, and supporting criminals and tycoons.

The awakening of passive voters is mentioned as an option for Milanović's victory. But this is a story that has been circulating in the Balkans for years. It has not materialized so far. 

Therefore, Škoro, who has brought with him the better part of HDZ, that is, the uncorrupted part, without scandals and indictments, should support Milanović. 

And then, in the parliamentary elections, he should appear as the moral winner over HDZ and its candidate. Unburdened by scandals and crime, with a rejuvenated team on the list for Parliament, Škoro would be a legitimate contender for a considerable number of mandates.

In that case, with Milanović as president, the atmosphere would also be much more relaxed. Because Croatia with Milanović is a completely different story from the quarrelsome and warmongering policy that Grabar Kitarović has pursued in recent years. 

Škoro knows this, he has enough experience. And he is a businessman, he knows how to calculate well. 

Škoro for Milanović, Milanović and Škoro for a European-oriented Croatia, which will turn its back on the UZP, and help Croats on this or the other side of the border.