Croatian political analysts and media used to say that today's local and regional elections will be important because of the trends they might indicate before presidential contest - about to take place in January - and parliamentary elections, set for November 2011. However, there is one huge problem with today's elections and it is unlikely that they might serve for future-predicting purposes. It is large number of counties, cities and rural municipalities, with even larger number of colourful local personalities and issues and rather mixed and sometimes even contradictory results that might be interpreted in any way imaginable. Second round of voting is going to complicate general perception even further.
So, despite official results slowly trickling in, it is likely that both HDZ and SDP will proclaim great victory. HDZ will win in most of counties and majority of mostly rural municipalities. SDP is going to boast with increased share of the vote in Zagreb and impressive victory in Rijeka, as well with victories in most of the cities. Anti-HDZ intelligentsia and media commentators will be delighted with HDZ losing in four biggest Croatian cities.
Željko Kerum, who otherwise had extremely good day - trouncing Ranko Ostojić and almost winning first round of Split mayoral election, with his candidates' lists as relative winner in Split City Assembly and doing well at Split-Dalmatian County Assembly - didn't seem particularly pleased with the fact that he would have to fight with SDP candidate in second round. Some of it became evident during the interview with Nova TV anchor Mislav Bago, during which he blamed both Bago and Sofija Preljvukić, Nova TV Split reporter, for the loss of necessary votes. Iva Gačić, Nova TV's news editor-in-chief titled the video-clip "Kerum Vented His Frustration on Nova TV reporters" and demanded Kerum's apology in accompanying text.
However, judging by some of the comments by Kerums' supporters on Internet forums, future mayor of Split is likely to get some praise for such conduct. His verbal assault on Bago might, on the other hand, be interpreted as preventive strike or attempt never to allow himself to be bushwhacked by Bago as Sanader was during legendary interview.
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