The first polls ahead of the second round of local elections have been published.
On Monday evening, Nova TV published the results of the first polls for the second round of local elections in the four largest Croatian towns, which will take place on the 4th of June, 2017. The polls were taken on Sunday, together with exit polls for the first round of local elections, reports dnevnik.hr on May 23, 2017.
Zagreb
According to the poll, the runoff between current Mayor Milan Bandić and Anka Mrak Taritaš (SDP-HNS) might be decided by just a few votes. Bandić currently has the support of 43.6 percent of voters, while Mrak Taritaš is at 43.3 percent, with 13 percent of respondents not giving an answer.
In the second round, Bandić should receive the support of 56.5 percent of voters who voted for independent candidate Bruna Esih in the first round, and 55.2 percent of those who voted for HDZ’s Drago Prgomet. On the other hand, Anka Mrak Taritaš is expected to get 54.9 percent of voters who voted for independent candidate Sandra Švaljek in the first round.
Split
The runoff in Split will be equally dramatic. According to the poll, Andro Krstulović Opara (HDZ) leads with 39.2 percent of support, but is closely followed by former Mayor Željko Kerum with the support of 38.7 percent of respondents. 22.1 percent of the respondents did not give an answer.
HDZ’s candidate Andro Krstulović Opara can count on the support of 37.3 percent of voters who voted for Marijana Puljak (Pametno) in the first round, but, 15.2 percent of her voters will support Kerum in the second round. Voters of Aida Batarelo (SDP) are divided, with 25.4 percent supporting HDZ’s candidate and 23.2 percent planning to vote for Kerum. Similarly, 32.9 percent of MOST voters would vote for Kerum and 32.6 percent for Krstulović Opara.
Rijeka
Unlike in Zagreb and Split, the outcome seems quite clear in Rijeka. Current Mayor Vojko Obersnel (SDP) is expected to win 51.5 percent of votes in the second round, his opponent, independent candidate Hrvoje Burić, is at 38.2 percent, while 10.3 percent of respondents refused to give an answer.
Burić would have the support of 65.7 percent of voters of HDZ’s candidate Kristijan Staničić, and 52 percent of voters of Juraj Bukša from HNS. On the other hand, Obersnel is expected to receive the support of 29.3 percent of HNS’s voters.
Osijek
The clearest situation is in Osijek, otherwise the largest town in Slavonia. Current Mayor Ivan Vrkić (independent) will win 57.8 percent of voters, while HDZ’s candidate Ivana Šojat is at 28.1 percent. 14.1 percent of respondents did not provide an answer.
About 50 percent of MOST voters would vote for Vrkić, and 25.7 percent for Ivana Šojat in the second round. 39.5 percent of voters of HDSSB leader Dragan Vulin would vote for Vrkić, while 23.4 percent would support Ivana Šojat.
