In the early morning hours, a 2.7-magnitude earthquake struck Dalmatia. The epicenter was recorded 14 kilometres from Pridraga and 112 kilometres from Split, at a depth of 3.3 kilometres.

The earthquake occurred at 04:52 local time.

“It was light, just a small shake,” a witness from Zadar reported to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. 

As Croatia’s local elections loom ever closer, one thing has become abundantly clear: the entire process needs a shake-up. Voter apathy is at an all-time high. So, what’s the solution? Is it time to face facts and bring in mandatory voting? The answer, of course, is a resounding yes.

And no, this isn’t a case of election-year desperation talking.

Let’s first take a good look at the situation.

Nine candidates are officially throwing their hats into the ring for mayor, and yet, the buzz is as faint as a breeze on the Adriatic. Everyone’s politely avoiding the campaign posters while sipping espresso, only to begrudgingly pick up their ballots when the big day arrives.

Now, imagine if voting weren’t optional. The idea of mandatory voting might sound like a bureaucratic nightmare, but hear me out.

If every eligible voter were legally required to turn up at the polling stations, imagine the fresh energy it would inject into the whole circus. First of all, voters would be forced to engage. Sure, you might grumble while waiting in line, but you’d be thinking, “I’m here, I might as well make it count.”

With forced participation comes the potential for actual dialogue.

When it’s not optional, people start paying attention. They ask questions, they learn about candidates, and they – brace yourselves – vote based on something other than who has the flashiest ad campaign or family ties.

You might say, “But why force people to vote if they don’t care?” Oh, dear reader, let me remind you that in a democracy, we are all supposed to care. We’re not just choosing who gets to sit at the top of the pile of bureaucratic dust. But mandatory voting doesn’t just bring a new sense of urgency – it brings a sense of inclusivity.

For too long, Croatian elections have been an exclusive club where only the political elite or the die-hard partisans show up. Everyone else? They’re just enjoying the view from the sidelines.

If voting were compulsory, suddenly, everyone would be involved.

The silent majority of people who don’t care about local politics, but care about their city’s future, would have to be a part of the conversation. And that’s a win for Dubrovnik, even if you hate the idea of “joining the herd” every time an election rolls around.

Australia, for example, has mandatory voting, and guess what? It works. Australians are required to cast their ballots, and surprise, surprise, they show up – and they don’t just show up, they show up in droves. In fact, voter turnout in Australia regularly exceeds 90%. It’s the highest in the world.

Let’s face it, we’ve all heard it: “I didn’t vote because none of the candidates were inspiring.” Okay, great, but what about your responsibility to your fellow Dubrovčani? What about ensuring that your voice – even if it’s a reluctant, grumbling one – is heard?

Forced participation would nudge everyone out of their comfort zones, making them realize that democracy doesn’t thrive on complacency. A robust turnout is essential for the survival of local democracy.

For instance, did you know that some municipalities in Croatia are facing an election with zero competition? 112 boroughs across Croatia are basically North Korea, they have one name on the candidate list.

But perhaps the most important reason to support mandatory voting is this: accountability. If candidates know they have to win over a mandatory electorate, they might actually, you know, work for it.

Candidates would be forced to focus on issues that matter to everyone – not just their most loyal supporters. With mandatory voting, we’d have a city-wide conversation about what Dubrovnik really needs. No longer could the loudest voice in the room drown out those of us who actually care about the future of this city, not just the here-and-now.

Can you imagine a Dubrovnik where 90% of the electorate actually participates?

Imagine the energy, the discourse, the possibilities. It’s time for Croatia to follow suit and adopt a system that encourages engagement rather than acceptance of the status quo.

If it works for Australia, why not for Dubrovnik?

Oh, but some critics will say, “Mandatory voting is just another way to force people to care about something they don’t.” They’ll argue that we’re pushing people into a system they don’t want to be part of. To that, I say: isn’t that the very definition of civic responsibility?

Look at it this way: we force people to pay taxes, obey traffic laws, and even wear seatbelts. Are those things always fun? No. But they make us a better society.

So, why not mandatory voting, too?

Read more Englishman in Dubrovnik…well, if you really want to

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the author

Mark Thomas (aka Englez u Dubrovniku) is the editor of The Dubrovnik Times. He was born and educated in the UK and moved to live in Dubrovnik in 1998. He works across a whole range of media, from a daily radio show to TV and in print. Thomas is fluent in Croatian and this column is available in Croatia on the website – Dubrovnik Vjesnik

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković visited the village of Vrbanj on Hvar Island over the weekend to officially open a new island branch of the Juraj Bonači Centre for Education and Care. The facility, aimed at supporting children with developmental challenges from birth to the age of seven, marks a major step forward in improving social services for island communities.

“This centre means children no longer need to travel to Split for care — it’s a new standard of support for island families,” said Plenković.

The project was made possible through cooperation between local authorities and the Perle Association, with additional backing from the cities of Hvar and Stari Grad and the municipality of Jelsa.

Photo - Vlada/X

Plenković also announced forthcoming changes to the Islands Act that would mandate similar facilities on other major Croatian islands. He confirmed further investment in a centre for older children and youth between Vrbanj and Stari Grad.

Following the opening, the Prime Minister continued his tour of Hvar, Stari Grad, Jelsa, and Solin, expressing strong support for HDZ candidates in the upcoming local elections.

“Our government has invested over €3.5 billion in island development in the past eight and a half years. We’re committed to improving life on Croatia’s islands,” he said.

While Croatia's tourism season picks up steam this May, another passion is already in full swing: basketball. On Friday night, coastal rivals KK Zadar and KK Dubrovnik faced off in a fiery matchup that ended in a commanding 91-61 win for Zadar.

The game not only showcased the fierce athleticism of two of Croatia’s coastal clubs but also highlighted international talent, as young American player Tyler Wahl—formerly of the University of Wisconsin—took to the court for Zadar.

Albert Anthony, a contributor to The Dubrovnik Times, was at the match and shared his impressions:

“As someone with roots in the Zadar area, I’ve grown up hearing stories of the glory days—of Krešimir Ćosić and 1970s basketball. It’s great to see that in spring 2025, local basketball is still alive and kicking, drawing fans of all ages—even those who aren't die-hard followers of the sport.”

Anthony noted the symbolic power of seeing both Dubrovnik and Zadar on the court: “It was more than a match—it was red, white, and blue in motion. And watching an American like Wahl play for Zadar just made the evening that much more exciting.”

The weekend had more in store than just hoops. KK Zadar also celebrated the opening of their new official fan shop in the heart of Zadar’s Old Town. The launch event featured live music, snacks, and plenty of fanfare—with blue and white balloons flooding the square and catching the attention of both locals and curious tourists alike.

___________________________________

About the Contributor: Writing under pen name Albert Anthony, the contributor has written on economic topics for investor platforms like Investing.com and Seeking Alpha, and is a volunteer contributor to both The Dubrovnik Times and Croatians Online, as well as a content producer for Online Live TV Croatia, covering events, cultural, business and innovation topics.