Mario Kordic from the Croat Democratic Union (HDZ BiH) is the new Mayor of Mostar, the City Council during the secret vote which took place Monday.

This was the second attempt at the election of the Mayor after the first vote was annulled because it was done publically, which violated the City Statute.

Kordic was elected in the third round of voting where he received a simple majority of 17 votes, which guaranteed him the position of the first man of the city on the Neretva River. His opponent from the Coalition for Mostar, Zlatko Guzin, got 16 votes. Two votes were invalid.

Earlier on Monday, the international community published a joint statement saying the election of Mayor in Mostar City is clearly regulated in the Statute and applicable Rules of Procedures, noting that the vote should not be further delayed.

“We call upon all city councillors to not delay this further, to show responsibility and to swiftly elect the Mayor in line with the legal framework at the next session,” said a note signed by the European Union's Delegation, the OSCE Mission, the US Embassy and the UK Embassy in BiH as well as the Office of the High Representative, the final interpreter of Bosnia's State Constitution.

“We welcome constructive dialogue between all councillors on a joint program with concrete measures, aiming to improve the functionality of the City of Mostar and meet the expectations of its citizens,” the statement added.