Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has swept most votes in the first round of a presidential election, but will have to face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term.

Croatians cast their votes Sunday to elect a new president, with the outspoken incumbent Zoran Milanovic appearing set to come out on top according to opinion polls.

Incumbent president Zoran Milanovic won the most votes in the first round of Croatia's presidential election on Sunday but fell just short of a majority and will have to go to a second round, results from the State Electoral Commission (DIP) showed.

Croats were voting to elect a new president on Sunday in a race that incumbent Zoran Milanovic, a critic of the European Union and NATO aid to Ukraine, is leading in the polls. Around 3.8 million Croats are eligible to vote for one of eight candidates,

People in Croatia headed to the polls on Sunday to cast their ballots in the first round of the country's presidential election.