Mayors elected across Croatia

In seven towns, the mayors were already known before election day, while voters in 73 others gave more than 50 percent support to a mayoral candidate in first round, meaning the local elections have concluded in 80 towns across Croatia.

In Zagreb County, Javor Bojan Leš (HDZ) will continue as mayor of Ivanić-Grad with 54.55 percent of the vote, and Zvonimir Novosel (SDP) remains at the helm in Jastrebarsko with 60.68 percent, CE Report quotes HINA.

HSS's Krešo Beljak failed to reclaim his former role in Samobor, where Petra Škrobot (Fokus) retains the mayoralty with 59.27 percent. In Sveta Nedelja, independent candidate Dario Zurovec was re-elected with 69.86 percent, while in Velika Gorica, Krešimir Ačkar (HDZ) secured a new term with 72.55 percent. In Vrbovec, Denis Kralj (SDP) was re-elected with 67.04 percent, and in Zaprešić, Željko Turk (HDZ) held on to power with 50.26 percent.

In Krapina-Zagorje County, independent Nikola Gospočić continues as mayor of Donja Stubica, defeating a younger HDZ candidate with the same name. Zoran Gregurović (HDZ) stays on in Krapina with 63.45 percent, Viktor Šimunić (independent) in Oroslavje with 75.89 percent, and Jasenka Auguštan Pentek (SDP) in Zlatar.

In Sisak-Moslavina County, voters re-elected independent Ivan Janković in Glina, Marija Kušmiš (HDZ) in Novska, and Magdalena Komes (HDZ) in Petrinja with 57.23 percent.

Ikić Baniček loses Sisak

Sisak voters opted for change, ousting SDP mayor Kristina Ikić Baniček in favour of HDZ’s Domagoj Orlić, who received 58.03 percent.

In Karlovac County, the first-round winners included incumbent mayors Tomislav Boljar (independent) in Duga Resa, Dalibor Domitrović (SDP) in Ogulin, and Lidija Bošnjak (independent) in Ozalj.

In Varaždin County, Siniša Jenkač (HDZ) was re-elected in Novi Marof with 67.09 percent, Dragica Ratković (HDZ) remains in Varaždinske Toplice with 52.68 percent, and Neven Bosilj (SDP) secured another term in Varaždin with 65.25 percent.

In Koprivnica-Križevci County, Hrvoje Janči (independent) remains mayor of Đurđevac with 78.58 percent, while Mišel Jakšić (SDP) was re-elected in Koprivnica with 71.06 percent.

Hrebak wins strongest support in the country

Dario Hrebak (HSLS) won a new term in Bjelovar with 81.13 percent of the vote, the highest margin in the country. Damir Lneniček (HDZ) remains mayor of Daruvar, while Grubišno Polje elected a new HDZ mayor, Zlatko Pavičić, as the incumbent did not stand.

In Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Tomislav Klarić (HDZ) retained Bakar with 66.01 percent. Marin Gregorović (SDP) stays on in Cres with 57.18 percent, Ivona Matošić Gašparović (HDZ) in Crikvenica, Antonio Dražović (independent) in Čabar, and Matej Mostarac (SDP) in Kastav.

Delnice elected a new mayor, Igor Pleša (SDP), as the incumbent did not seek re-election.

Croatia’s longest-serving mayor re-elected

Darijo Vasilić (PGS), mayor of Krk, continues as Croatia’s longest-serving mayor. Tomislav Cvitković (HDZ) stays on in Novi Vinodolski and Fernardo Kirigin (SDP) in Opatija.

In Lika-Senj County, Darko Milinović (LiPO) in Gospić and Ivan Dabo (HDZ) in Novalja were re-elected. Senj elected a new HDZ mayor, Željko Tomljanović, after the incumbent stepped down.

In Virovitica-Podravina County, Ivica Kirin (HDZ) remains mayor of Virovitica with 57.64 percent.

As the outgoing mayor of Pakrac did not run, Tomislav Novinc (HDZ) won a first-round victory. Marija Šarić (HDZ) stays on in Pleternica.

In Nova Gradiška, independent Vinko Grgić was re-elected with 58.55 percent.

In Zadar County, HDZ mayors secured new terms in Benkovac (Tomislav Bulić), Biograd na Moru (Ivan Knez), Nin (Emil Ćurko), and Obrovac (Ante Župan).

Radić dominates in Osijek

Osijek Mayor Ivan Radić (HDZ) was re-elected with 70.95 percent. In Valpovo, independent Matko Šutalo kept his position.

Drniš elected a new HDZ mayor, Tomislav Dželalija, while Ante Cukrov (HDZ) remains in Vodice.

Ilok elected a new HDZ mayor, Renata Banožić, after the incumbent chose not to run. In Vinkovci, Josip Romić (HDZ) was elected mayor after the outgoing mayor ran for county prefect.

Slavko Grgić (DP) continues in Otok with 60.37 percent, and Damir Juzbašić (independent) remains in charge of Županja with 63.95 percent.

Split-Dalmatia: New and returning mayors

In Split-Dalmatia County, Imotski and Stari Grad elected new HDZ mayors, Luka Kolovrat and Vinko Vranjican. Denis Ivanović (HDZ), Dalibor Ninčević (HDZ), and Ivan Bugarin (HDZ) remain in office in Kaštela, Solin, and Trilj respectively, while Ivana Marković (SDP) and Ante Bilić (SDP) were re-elected in Supetar and Trogir.

Seven mayors win outright in Istria County

In Istria County, the following mayors secured new terms in the first round: Fabrizio Vižintin (IDS) in Buje, Anteo Milos (IDS) in Novigrad, Loris Peršurić (IDS) in Poreč, and Vili Bassanese (SDP) in Umag.

In Labin, independent Donald Blašković defeated incumbent Valter Glavičić with 52.69 percent. Rovinj elected Emil Nimčević (IDS), and Vodnjan chose Igor Orlić (IDS), as their former mayors did not stand.

In Ploče, SDP’s Ivana Marević was re-elected, while Nikola Grmoja of the Bridge party failed to oust the incumbent mayor win in Metković, where HDZ’s Dalibor Milan was re-elected with 54.94 percent.

Ljerka Cividini (NPS) was re-elected in Čakovec with 60.52 percent. In Mursko Središće and Prelog, HDZ mayors Dražen Srpak and Ljubomir Kolarek secured new terms.

Mayors in Garešnica, Hrvatska Kostajnica, Kraljevica, Slunj, Kutjevo, Lipik and Skradin, all HDZ members, were re-elected unopposed, having no challengers: Josip Bilandžija, Dalibor Bišćan, Dalibor Čandrlić, Mirjana Puškarić, Josip Budimir, Vinko Kasana, and Antonijo Brajković respectively.