Zigmanov succeeded Petar Kuntic who had decided to step down after having been at the helm of the DSHV for three terms, that is since 2004.
Addressing the convention that brought together 194 delegates from Vojvodina, Zigmanov said that he would pursue a policy of continuity and that he would advocate the rights of local Croats to be included in decision-making.
This 48-year-old activist said that he would fight for Croats' right to be entitled to guaranteed seats in legislatures in Vojvodina and Serbia and for establishing a department for the Croatian language and literature in Serbia's universities.
The DSHV party was established on 15 July 1990 in Subotica and its first president was Bela Tonkovic.
Croatia's consul-general in Subotica, Velimir Plesa, attended the convention.