Directly elected minority councils and representatives are tasked with consulting the local or regional authorities, advocating for minority rights and interests, integration into public life and participation in the management of local affairs.[5] At the 2023 Croatian national minorities councils and representatives electionsSerbs of Croatia fulfilled legal requirements to elect 15 members minority councils of the Town of Donji Miholjac but the elections were not held due to the lack of candidates.[6]
History
World War II memorial
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Donji Miholjac was a district capital in the Virovitica County of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia. Its name comes from Saint Michael. During the time of Ancient Rome, it was called Mariniana.[7] There are several suggested etymology for the name "Mariniana". One is that it comes from the Roman personal name "Marinus". The other is that it comes from the Indo-European roots *mory and *h1ny, so that it means "marshy valley". If so, the same root is seen in the names "Mursa" and "Marsonia".[8][unreliable source?]