Croatia’s ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has emerged as the dominant force in the country’s second round of local elections, securing a series of key mayoral and regional victories, according to results reported by local media Monday.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, leader of the conservative HDZ, hailed the outcome as “a convincing victory”, stating it reflects public trust in his party’s leadership at both the national and local levels.
Major City Results
In the capital Zagreb, incumbent Mayor Tomislav Tomašević secured reelection with 57.5% of the vote, defeating independent challenger Marija Selak Raspudić. Tomašević, known for his progressive urban reforms, promised supporters to “continue fighting relentlessly for Zagreb.”
In Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, HDZ candidate Tomislav Šuta unseated sitting mayor Ivica Puljak with 53% of the vote. Šuta vowed to be “the mayor for all citizens of Split,” marking a strategic gain for HDZ in the Dalmatian region.
Historic and Notable Wins
In Rijeka, a significant milestone was reached as Iva Rinčić, an independent, was elected as the city’s first female mayor with a sweeping 65% of the vote. Calling it “a big step forward for Rijeka,” Rinčić’s victory represents a shift in the traditionally left-leaning port city.
In the eastern city of Vukovar, Marijan Pavliček of the nationalist Croatian Sovereignists defeated HDZ-backed candidate Domagoj Bilić, in one of the night’s few upsets for the ruling party.
Meanwhile, in Pula, former Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Peđa Grbin returned to political prominence, defeating independent incumbent Filip Zoričić in a closely watched race.
Regional and County-Level Success
At the regional level, HDZ won 12 county prefect positions, including in:
In Varaždin County, one of the tightest contests of the night, HDZ’s Anđelko Stričak narrowly defeated SDP’s Bruno Ister by just 96 votes.
HDZ also notched victories in other prominent cities such as Šibenik, Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Karlovac, solidifying its presence across both urban and coastal strongholds.
Political Implications
The results reaffirm HDZ’s entrenched position in Croatian politics ahead of upcoming national and European parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Plenković framed the outcome as a mandate to continue his party’s governance agenda.
The elections also showcased a growing trend of independent and non-traditional candidates gaining traction in urban centers, signaling a shift in voter expectations on local governance, even as HDZ maintains its nationwide advantage.
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