Matija Posavec has won the early election for Medjimurje County Prefect, receiving 78.89 per cent of votes, according to preliminary results announced by the Election Commission late on Sunday.

Sandra Herman (Reformists) won 7.98 per cent, Darko Zver (Fokus) 7.97 per cent, and independent Mladen Novak 2.93 per cent.

Turnout was 28.96 per cent.

The election was called by the government after Posavec, the then Prefect, was arrested on suspicion of bribe taking and influence peddling, after which he stepped down.

This is Posavec’s fourth consecutive victory in the races for the head of this northern county.

Speaking after the announcement of the results, Posavec said he had not expected to win such a large number of votes.

“I believe that no one has ever achieved this result at regional level in Croatia. But this is not my victory, this is the victory of the citizens of Medjimurje. This is the victory of the people who have believed in me from day one,” Posavec said.

Responding to a reporter’s remark that he was still facing legal action, Posavec cited presumption of innocence.

“There has been a lot of speculation, but officially I am a suspect at this point. How this will end will be clear after the completion of the investigation,” he said.