The slate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has won the most ballots in elections for the city councils in Zagreb and in the second and third largest cities, Split and Rijeka, while the Croatian Democratic Party of Slavonia and Baranja (HDSSB) has maintained a firm hold on the city assembly in the eastern city of Osijek, according to preliminary results released by the State Election Commission (DIP) on Sunday evening
The SDP-led coalition mustered 27.45% of the vote for the Zagreb City Council, followed by the slate of non-party candidate Milan Bandic, the incumbent mayor, with 24.15%. The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) finished third with 12.89%. The 5% threshold was also passed by the coalition headed by Vladimir Ferdelji, at 11.38%.
At the previous local elections in 2009, the SDP coalition with Milan Bandic, who was an SDP member at the time, won 33.34% and the HDZ-led coalition took 18.43%.
According to incomplete results for Sunday's elections, the Split City Council will consist of deputies from the SDP-led coalition (26.05%), deputies from the HDZ-led coalition (19.86%), the Croatian Civic Party (HGS) of the current mayor Zeljko Kerum (12.96%) and councillors from lists of two non-party candidates Maijana Puljak (9.11%) and Ivan Grubisic (8.28%).
Four years ago, Kerum was the winner, trailed by the SDP and the HDZ.
In Rijeka, the SDP emerged as the winner, with candidates from the HDZ slate and the local PGS party also winning seats in the City Council, just as had been the case four years ago.
In Osijek, the HDSSB remained in power, while the HDZ, which finished second four years ago, slid to fourth place. The SDP moved up from fourth place in 2009 to become the second best vote-getter in the Osijek City Council.
