Croatian president faces leftist challenge in election run-off

• Croatia's conservative head of state -- trying to unite a fractured right wing -- faced a serious challenge.
• Some 3.8 million people are eligible to vote in a poll that is being held just days after Croatia took over the European Union.
• The outcome of the vote for the largely ceremonial post is uncertain.

Some 3.8 million people are eligible to vote in a poll that is being held just days after Croatia took over the European Union's helm for a six-month period, which will be dominated by Brexit and the bloc's enlargement.

At the same time, the EU's newest member is struggling with a mass exodus of its people, corruption and a lacklustre economy at home.

Centre-right incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic was campaigning on a slogan promoting "real Croatia", hinting she believes the ruling HDZ party that is backing her are the only ones who can truly represent the country.

Her rival Zoran Milanovic, a former Social Democratic premier, has labelled such statements as "very dangerous", and wants to see a liberal democratic country which promotes equality for all citizens.

The outcome of the vote for the largely ceremonial post is uncertain, with the latest survey by Ipsos agency giving Milanovic a three-percentage-point lead over Grabar-Kitarovic.

"Let's build together a more prosperous Croatia... that will look forward not backwards," the country's first female president said after voting in Zagreb.

The 51-year-old former top diplomat will have to lure back hardliners who voted for a nationalist folk singer in the election's first round in December.

Dominating in cities, Milanovic led the first round with around a third of the vote, thanks in part to that split among the right-wingers.

Analysts said the first-round results showed an increase in support for hardliners, a trend seen in other European countries such as Poland or Hungary.

 'Normal, decent country' 

Turnout was at nearly 44 percent two-and-a-half hours before the polls were to close, the electoral commission said. It was about five percentage points less compared with the 2014 vote.

"This election is not a showdown with anyone but an attempt to be a normal, decent country," Milanovic, candidate of the main opposition Social Democrats, said after casting ballot in native Zagreb.

The vote is seen as a key test for the ruling HDZ party of moderate Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic ahead of parliamentary elections later this year.

If Grabar-Kitarovic fails to win the presidency, it would deal a heavy blow to the HDZ.

Unity, patriotism and references to the 1990s independence war that remains an emotive issue, were the key points her re-election bid.

"We should come together as in 1990", before the country declared independence from Yugoslavia, Grabar-Kitarovic told her supporters.

Meanwhile, Milanovic, 53, insisted that the "wars are over" and Croatia should now fight for its place in Europe.

 'Lesser evil'  

Presenting herself as the "woman of the people" with humble farming roots, Grabar-Kitarovic is well known for stunts such as singing in public which her critics deride as embarrassing.

She has also come under fire for downplaying the crimes committed by Croatia's World War II pro-Nazi regime.

Meanwhile, Milanovic, premier from 2011 until 2016 whose government failed to push through much-needed reforms, is trying to make a political comeback and throw off a reputation as arrogant and elitist.

The ruling HDZ hopes to keep Grabar-Kitarovic in office during the country's EU presidency where four main issues are likely to dominate -- the bloc's relationship with the UK after Brexit; the membership bids of Western Balkan states; climate change; and the bloc's budget framework for the next decade.

The Adriatic country joined the EU in 2013, but its economy, strongly relying on tourism, remains one of the bloc's weakest.

EU's open borders also accelerated the exodus of its people to seek better pay in wealthier member states.

Many emigrants also cite corruption, nepotism and poor public services as reasons for leaving.

"Politicians are wrangling about the past and insignificant issues while my generation is leaving," said Maja Maric, a 20-year-old economy student. She said she voted for a "lesser evil".

First results are expected around 1900 GMT, an hour after voting ends.