In the 2005 presidential election he ran as an independent candidate. During the campaign he claimed to be in contact with the general Ante Gotovina, at the time a fugitive wanted on war crimes charges, which prompted a police inquiry. Ćesić eventually finished 6th in the first round with 1.85% of the votes cast. Ćesić has since left HDZ and is currently a member of Only Croatia – Movement for Croatia.