SDP TAKES LEAD IN ZAGREB, TUDJMAN LIST GIVES ELECTORAL SURPRISE

ZAGREB, May 20 (Hina) - The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is in the lead with 27.37 percent of votes in today's local elections in Zagreb. Following are the Croatian Block list (Croatian Democratic Union, Croatian Party of Rights and Croatian Christian Democratic Union) the Croatian Peoples' Party with 17.62 percent, with 19.87 percent of votes, and the independent list Miroslav Tudjman which won 7.45 percent of votes. The first temporary and unofficial results of today's local elections were received from 319 polling stations out of the 587, chairman of the city electoral Committee, Miroslav Sumanovic said. The Croatian Peasants' Party has most chances of passing the electoral threshold. the HSS has 4.1 percent of votes counted so far. The Croatian Social and Liberal Party follows with ,.23 percent of votes. To pass the threshold, parties and coalition lists of candidates must collect a five percent vote to pass the threshold. A total of 133,014 voters came to their polls today, making up 39.31 percent of Zagreb's electorate. Zagreb today voted for members of the Zagreb City Assembly. Counting the so far received votes, the City Assembly would seat 20 members of the SDP (having had 14), the Croatian Block won 14 seats (the Croatian Democratic Union had five previously), Croatian People's Party 12 seats, while five seats go to Tudjman's list. To form the city government 26 councillors are needed. (hina) lml