The 2019 Croatian presidential election is set on December 22, 2019 with eleven candidates competing for the highest government post according to the Croation State Election Commission (DIP) last Thursday, December 5.
Twelve candidates filed for the post but one of those who applied, Slobodan Midžić, was disqualified after submitting a petition with only one signature. According to the country’s presidential election guidelines, a potential candidate must gather at least 10,000 signatures from eligible voters before his/her name will be printed on the ballot.
The candidates who were able to meet the 10,000 signature requirement are as follows:
| Candidate | Party affiliation | Number of Signatures Garnered |
| Nedjeljko Babić | Croatian Party of all Chakavians, Kajkavians and Shtokavians | 14,000 |
| Anto Đapić | Democratic Alliance for National Renewal | 13,000 |
| Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović | Independent | 231,000 |
| Milan Bandić (also known as Dario Juričan) | Independent | 13,000 |
| Dejan Kovač | Croatian Social Liberal Party | 16,000 |
| Zoran Milanović | Social Democratic Party | 78,000 |
| Dalija Orešković | Independent | 11,000 |
| Katarina Peović | Workers’ Front | 14,000 |
| Ivan Pernar | Party of Ivan Pernar | 15,000 |
| Miroslav Škoro | Independent | 70,000 |
The highest number of signatures was garnered by incumbent president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović with 231,000. The reelectionist president is also expected to win the first round for garnering 28.6 per cent in the latest opinion polls. She, however, will be facing Zoran Milanovic who got 24.3 per cent.
Should the top vote-getter in December 22 fails to generate a majority vote, a round-up election will be held on January 5, 2020.
