ABSTRACT
Local elections in Croatia have been characterized by the dominance of big national parties and rather low voter turnout – attributes that reflect the relatively weak position and dependence of local government vis-à-vis central authorities. The introduction of the direct election of mayors in 2009 did not alter these dynamics significantly, as turnout rates increased only slightly. Still, this has stimulated the participation of independent local political actors, whose success in subsequent elections has been steadily improving, although it is still rather modest. Particular attention has been paid to the distinctive system of ethnic minority representation in Croatian local political institutions, which was introduced in 2002. Despite the shortcomings of the existing electoral system, deeper changes are not expected nor have any been officially announced. Among possible innovations, preferential voting in council elections has been strongly advocated by various stakeholders. However, its official introduction remains uncertain.
