Croatia's top three presidential candidates in tight race ten days ahead of vote - poll

Incumbent head of state Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic continues to lead with 26.8% support (down from 28.6% in November), a survey conducted December 5-9 among 1,300 respondents by Promocija Plus agency for public broadcaster RTL showed earlier this week.

Close second comes former prime minister Zoran Milanovic with 25.4% (up from 24.3% in November) and musician Miroslav Skoro with 21% (up from last month's 16.7%).

In the presidential race, Grabar-Kitarovic is supported by the governing centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), while opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) is backing Milanovic. Skoro is believed to also appeal to HDZ supporters as well as younger Croatian voters.

According to the results of the survey, former judge Mislav Kolakusic who heads the NLMK independent alliance, keeps its fourth position, attracting 10.6% support (down from November's 14%).

The percentage of undecided voters before the first round of the elections has increased to 7.9% from 5% in November. The survey has a standard margin of error of plus/minus 2.77%.

A second round of the elections, which is very likely considering the results of the poll, is scheduled to take place on January 5.

The most likely scenario for the run-off remains a battle between Grabar-Kitarovic and Milanovic, with the incumbent grabbing 48.3% support (down from November's 51.8%) and contender winning 47.6% (up from last month's 44.5%). There is 4.1% undecided voters in this case whose vote will be crucial for the final outcome.

Were Skoro to face Grabar-Kitarovic in the run-off, he would defeat her with 50% support (up from last month's 45.6%) against 45.2% (down from 49.2%) for the incumbent, with 4.8% of voters remaining undecided.

On the other hand, Skoro would win 52.9% (up from 49.6% in November) of the vote in the second round if he stands against Milanovic who would receive 43.5% (down from 46.3%). Some 3.6% of voters remain undecided in this case.

A total of 11 candidates will run for president in the first round. In Croatia, the president can serve up to two five-year terms in office.

On December 22, voters will cast ballots in 6,409 polling stations across Croatia and 124 stations abroad. Polling stations in the country will open at 7 a.m. local time and close at 7 p.m.