First results are in.
The State Election Commission has started publishing first official results from today’s local elections.
The first impression is that HDZ has scored weaker results than expected in the largest towns, particularly in Zagreb, where its official candidate Drago Prgomet, a moderate candidate selected personally by party president and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, received much smaller number of votes than independent candidate Bruna Esih, who was a symbolic representative of the party’s more rightwing faction. The second round of voting for Zagreb Mayor will feature current Mayor Milan Bandić and SDP-HNS candidate Anka Mrak Taritaš, who will fight for every vote.
Zagreb (82% votes counted)
Milan Bandić (ind) 31 %
Anka Mrak Taritaš (SDP-HNS) 24 %
Sandra Švaljek (ind) 19 %
Bruna Esih (ind) 11 %
Drago Prgomet (HDZ) 6 %
In Split, former mayor, flamboyant entrepreneur Željko Kerum has won the first round, although just a few months ago no one thought that was possible. His opponent in the second round will probably be HDZ’s Andro Krstulović Opara, who was a clear favourite just a few weeks ago.
Split (92% votes counted)
Željko Kerum (ind) 30 %
Andro Krstulović Opara (HDZ) 26 %
Marijana Puljak (Pametno) 21 %
In Rijeka, pre-election polls showed that SDP might lose its strongest major town in Croatia. However, the current mayor Vojko Obersnel scored a surprisingly strong result which will enable him to probably win easily in the second round.
Rijeka (78% votes counted)
Vojko Obersnel (SDP) 41 %
Hrvoje Burić (ind) 18 %
Kristjan Staničić (HDZ) 14 %
In Osijek, an easy relative win in the first round for current Mayor Ivica Vrkić, who is an independent candidate supported by leftwing parties. His opponent in the second round will be Ivana Šojat (HDZ).
Osijek (94% votes counted)
Ivan Vrkić (ind) 37 %
Ivana Šojat (HDZ) 17 %
Miroslav Šimić (MOST 9 %
Dragan Vulin (HDSSB) 9 %
Dubrovnik (83% votes counted)
Mato Franković (HDZ) 31 %
Valentin Dujmović (HNS) 17 %
Vido Bogdanović (HSS) 12 %
Zadar (93% votes counted)
Branko Dukić (HDZ) 51 %
Sabina Glasovac (SDP) 23 %
Marjana Botić (MOST) 10 %
Varaždin (98% votes counted)
Ivan Čehok (ind) 41 %
Alen Kišić ( SDP) 22 %
Damir Habijan (HDZ) 15 %
