Croatian president's inauguration scheduled for Feb 18

ZAGREB - The presidential inauguration ceremony for Croatian President Zoran Milanovic's second five-year term is scheduled for Feb 18 and will take place at the presidential office, according to a statement he released on Wednesday.

"I have decided, after much consideration and deliberation, that the inauguration will be held on Feb 18 at the presidential office," Milanovic announced on Facebook. He emphasized that the event "is a civil ceremony for the democratically elected president of the modern Croatian Republic, not a royal coronation".

"When the inauguration is over, I will be with the Croatian people as a president who takes care of their interests," Milanovic said.

Milanovic secured a second term with a decisive victory in the presidential runoff held on Jan 12. He defeated his rival, Dragan Primorac, by a substantial margin.

Born in 1966, Milanovic first assumed the presidency following a runoff election five years ago. His career includes roles as a Croatian diplomat to the European Union and NATO, as well as serving as Croatia's prime minister from December 2011 to January 2016.