Post-local election negotiations continue in some cities

Following the recent local elections a number of county assemblies and city councils are set to be formed. However, tight election results in some cities have resulted in frantic post-election negotiating in a bid to form a majority. Any city or county that does not manage to form a new majority after three attempts, will have to hold a new round of elections.

The first attempt to constitute the city council in Split fell short on Friday. The Centar Party of former mayor Ivica Puljak, is five seats short of a majority. However, in spite of this the party believes that it can gather all opposition parties into a broad coalition to form a new majority. Centar Party city councilor Igor Skoko: "We expect that everyone will honor what they said during the campaign, that there will be no cooperation with HDZ and Kerum, and that the majority in the council will be formed by these opposition parties."

The HDZ of new mayor Tomislav Šuta is just two votes short of a majority. However, Mayor Šuta is concerned that the delay in forming a new majority is putting off implementing some key changes he has planned for the city: "Free textbooks for high school students, free day care centers for preschoolers, free public transportation for students, as well as a number of other things that need to be done. Split is one of the worst cities in the country in terms of failing to withdraw European grants for day care centers, schools and accompanying gyms."

Among the most sought after votes in the council is that of MOST Party councilor Frano Kelam, who continues to demand written guarantees in return for his vote: "Currently I don't see myself aligning with either side. If I did, then we would probably be able to constitute a majority right now."

The next vote will be held in one month's time.

Meanwhile, city councilors in Rijeka will try to form a majority in the Rijeka City Council on Thursday. Newly elected Mayor Iva Rinčić is five votes short of forming a majority, as negotiations continue: "I'm calling on and hoping that the city councilors will follow the example set by the councilors of the county assembly who almost unanimously voted to constitute the county assembly and likewise support the constitution of the city council without any formal coalitions on our part."

Source: HRT