Minority Elections Underway in Serbia as Croats Elect New Croatian National Council

Elections for national minority councils are underway in Serbia, with members of the Croatian community voting directly for the first time to elect a new Croatian National Council (HNV), their representative body. Voters are choosing between electoral lists rather than individual candidates.

Three electoral lists are competing for the 23 seats on the new HNV.

Number one on the Croatian minority ballot is **HNV – Croatian National Vision**, led by current HNV President and Croatian Parliament member Jasna Vojnić, who represents the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).

Number two is **United for the HNV**, formed by a cultural association in the village of Tavankut and led by professor Mira Tumbas.

The third option is **Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina – Everything According to Plan 2026**, headed by Josipa Vojnić Tunić.

Candidates Call on Croats to Turn Out in Large Numbers

After casting her ballot in Subotica, Jasna Vojnić, head of the Croatian National Vision list and outgoing HNV president, urged members of the Croatian community to turn out in large numbers, describing the vote as an important day for Croats in Serbia.

"The campaign behind us was more exhausting than difficult, but I hope that today we will bring to a close in our community what was concluded at the state level on October 25," Vojnić said.

Mira Tumbas, head of the United for the HNV list and president of the Matija Gubec cultural association in Tavankut, said she expected support from voters who had responded to her calls for greater openness and transparency within the HNV.

"We expect the support of those who believe in us and those we managed to reach through our campaign. We want the HNV to be a home for all of us Croats living in the Republic of Serbia," Tumbas said.

She added that her list had run a modest campaign, without a substantial organisational infrastructure or financial backing.

Calls for Greater Transparency and an End to Divisions

In its electoral platform, the Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina – Everything According to Plan 2026 previously argued that the HNV's work had been characterised by concentrated decision-making and insufficient transparency in the allocation of funds. In its assessment, these shortcomings had contributed to divisions within the Croatian community.

Members of all other national minorities in Serbia are also voting to elect their respective national councils.