HTV said moving the election date from mid-May to mid-April 2005 had been requested by prefects in the southern coastal region of Dalmatia so they could focus on the summer tourist season.
As for changing legislation pertaining to the election of mayors, Sanader said, "I'm against hasty experimentation".
He said next year's local elections would be held under the existing law, with only the date changed, while amendments would be considered later, in consultations with experts and with a consensus to be reached among political parties.
Sanader said he did not think that any major political party would be against the direct election of mayors.