Bad news for the long-time Zagreb mayor.
According to poll conducted by Nova TV on voter preferences regarding the elections for Zagreb mayor which will take place in May, current leader is Anka Mrak Taritaš (HNS) with 27.8 percent of votes, followed by Milan Bandić (24.1 percent), and Sandra Švaljek (independent; 21.2 percent), reports dnevnik.hr on March 28, 2017.
Independent candidate Bruna Esih is in fourth place with the support of 9.3 percent of voters, followed by Drago Prgomet (HDZ; 6.8 percent), Ivan Pernar (Živi Zid; 2.6 percent) and Marko Sladoljev (MOST; 1.1 percent).
Milan Bandić has never been in such an unenviable situation ahead of elections. Nova TV polled voters ahead of elections in 2009 and 2013, when he had a considerable advantage over his opponents. In 2009, he had the support of 42.2 percent of voters, compared to 21.5 percent for his opponent Josip Kregar. In 2013, he had 36.3 percent, compared to 23.9 percent for SDP’s Rajko Ostojić.
In the second round, Milan Bandić would lose regardless of opponent. If his opponent is Anka Mrak Taritaš, she would win 47.9 percent of votes in the second round, while Bandić would get 43 percent. Bandić would achieve even worse results if his opponent were Sandra Švaljek. She would win 55 percent of votes, while Bandić would get just 36.9 percent.
If Bandić fails to enter the second round, which is unlikely, Sandra Švaljek would win over Anka Mrak Taritaš 49.8 percent to 36.8 percent.
“Polls show that there will be a great fight among us, and that makes me happy, but there is no euphoria. What I read in this poll is that two-thirds of citizens of Zagreb want change”, said Anka Mrak Taritaš commenting on the results. “I am really looking forward to having a lot of opponents. Our citizens often say they do not want to vote because they have no one to vote for. That is not the case now. Everyone can find someone to support. I really think that these elections are a referendum on changes in Zagreb. We are discussing a variety of issues, and if one of the candidates proposes some good elements in their manifesto, why not implement them if you find yourself in such a position”, said Mrak Taritaš.
“I think that the most important reason for these poll results is the fact that people believe in my promises. Bandić has had a whole series of ambitious promises which he did not fulfil. People were able to see that I do not give magnificent promises, and that I do what I say. Still, everything could change by the election time”, concluded Mrak Taritaš.
