The head of the Zagreb branch of the Croatian People's Party (HNS), Zeljko Uhlir, on Wednesday announced his candidacy for Zagreb Mayor, noting that his decision had been prompted by the situation in the city, where, 11 months after the devastating earthquake that struck last March, no building had been reconstructed.

“I can no longer watch this inaction. When I was in charge of reconstruction following the (2014) floods in the Zupanjska Posavina region, everything was rebuilt after 13 months. We built and renovated 2,000 houses and 40 public buildings. In Zagreb, nothing has happened after almost the same period,” Uhlir said in a statement published by the HNS branch in Zagreb.

A native of Zagreb, Uhlir says that work ethics, love of art and culture, tolerance, and respect for diversity are part of his family heritage.

“Even though my family has lived in Zagreb for generations, I am not exclusive and am glad that Zagreb, as a true metropolis, has become a multicultural city,” he said.

He noted that his vision of Zagreb’s development was one of a green and smart city.