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Bencic: 'Plenkovic is fleeing to Italy, let him take the bag from Gospić and ask Meloni if it is theirs'
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive9/7/2026

Bencic: 'Plenkovic is fleeing to Italy, let him take the bag from Gospić and ask Meloni if it is theirs'

Sandra Benčić, aktivista, oštre je kritikovala premijera Andreja Plenkovića zbog njegovog odlaska u Gospić tri dana prije velikog prosvjeda protiv vlade, koji se održavao u subotu u Zagrebu. Kritika je usmjeren na činjenicu da je Plenković odlučio ne sudjelovati na prosvjedu, umjesto da se fokusira na rješavanje problema otpada. Benčić je ironično sugerirala da bi premijer trebao poneti vreće otpada iz Gospića i pitati italijansku liderku Giorgia Meloniju da li su njihove. Premijer je objasnio da će sudjelovati na konferenciji u Italiji, a da se vlada bavi rješavanjem problema, a ne prosvjedovanjem. Na sastanku u Gospiću, s ministrima, Plenković je dao izjavu o napretku u sanaciji otpada, naglašavajući suradnju s raznim institucijama i planove za odvoz otpada. Međutim, predstavnici građanske inicijative 'Gospić je naš dom' odbili su sudjelovati, smatrajući da je premijerov dolazak neposredno prije prosvjeda politička šteta.

Croatian Interior Minister Davor Božinović stated on Monday that the primary priority regarding Saturday’s mass demonstration was its peaceful nature, emphasizing that the protest concluded without police intervention. Speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit, Božinović declined to release official police estimates for the number of attendees at the rally titled “Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia.” He noted that law enforcement agencies have stopped publishing such figures recently and that his interest lies solely in statistics concerning police actions. According to Božinović, the absence of police measures serves as proof that the event proceeded correctly within a democratic framework. The protest took place on Saturday in Zagreb, drawing tens of thousands of participants who expressed anger over the disposal of hazardous waste in the town of Gospić. Estimates of attendance vary significantly among different observers. Mathematician Nenad Bakić calculated the crowd size at 21,000 individuals. Organizers claimed there were 30,000 attendees. Professor Žarko Puhovski estimated the number at 50,000, while an analysis based on drone footage by ChatGPT suggested a figure of 60,000. Regardless of the exact count, reports indicate that the crowd included men and women of all ages and political affiliations. Participants carried banners with slogans such as “PFAS sucks,” “Lika’s potato remembers,” and “Nature screams, garbage stays silent.” More than 300 organizations, civic initiatives, and private citizens supported the citizen initiative “Gospić is our home” ahead of the September 5 demonstration. Signatories included prominent public figures such as actors Goran Navojec and Damir Markovina, academician Vlatko Silobrčić, director Branko Schmidt, and actress Alma Prica. The list of supporters also featured other directors, academics, journalists, unionists, lawyers, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and one priest. Representatives from the Initiative For Croatian Freedoms highlighted that these individuals hold diverse views and worldviews, often disagreeing on many other issues, yet united by concern over hazardous waste. They stressed that the issue of potential environmental and health impacts cannot be treated as a matter of political affiliation. The organizers urged that the protest transcend ideological differences, arguing that hazardous waste does not ask for party cards or electoral districts, and that protecting human and natural health is a fundamental right achievable only through collective action. Božinović addressed the government’s response to the crisis during his remarks. He acknowledged the dissatisfaction and anger felt by the protesters but asserted that the current administration is the only one capable of resolving the issue, citing past performance as evidence. He stated that work is being done intensively to remediate the waste. The minister specifically mentioned concerns raised by residents of Zaprešić, noting that the local company Tabak Grupa has secured a contract to dispose of 650 tons of non-hazardous waste from the site of the former PPK Velebit factory in Gospić. Božinović emphasized the necessity for all operations to be professional and transparent, including clear communication with the public regarding plans and procedures. In addition to the waste crisis, Božinović discussed other ongoing matters during the press interaction. He referred to the recent catastrophic fire in Omiš, stating that investigations into the incident are still underway and that additional expert examinations are being conducted. When questioned about why the police had not launched an internal investigation into alleged pressure exerted by the head of Šibenik traffic police against an officer who reported Anna Dujić in the “Nakaze” affair, the minister explained that all materials collected by the police under orders from the State Attorney’s Office are currently held by the prosecutor’s office. He indicated that authorities are awaiting a substantive decision from the prosecutors. The protest aimed to bring further attention to the hazardous waste problem in Gospić and the broader Lika region. Organizers sought to highlight the anxiety of the local population regarding dangerous waste and demanded protection for both public health and the environment. The Initiative For Croatian Freedoms called on citizens across Croatia to join the demonstration to show solidarity with the residents of Gospić and Lika. They described the day’s message as the voice of the citizens. Media coverage included special programming featuring studio guests and field reporters monitoring the event throughout the day. The central question remaining after the demonstration is whether the government will take decisive action to remove the waste or if the issue will fade from public memory.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 5 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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10 reports

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) logoHRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterFactual 95Objective 808/30/2026
Puchowski: The opposition didn't take advantage of the waste affair

Political analyst Žarko Puhovski criticized the Croatian opposition for failing to present serious solutions during the waste management scandal in Gospić, which has been known for three years. He argued that while the government bears responsibility, the opposition treated the issue as a political attack rather than an opportunity to improve environmental policies. Puhovski highlighted the lack of local community action and called for more effective measures to clean rivers like the Danube and Drava. He also criticized the absence of a chief state inspector for over nine months and questioned the effectiveness of proposed legal reforms, noting that high penalties alone are insufficient if they are not enforced. Additionally, he expressed skepticism about the upcoming protest on September 5th, suggesting organizers' neutrality might limit its impact.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a politically sensitive issue involving the government and opposition, the framing remains balanced. The critic does not overtly favor one side but highlights shortcomings on both sides, government accountability and opposition failure to act effectively. There is no clear

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports HDZ's response to the alleged fake message. It includes direct quotes from HDZ's official statement and aligns with the cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (80): The article presents HDZ's perspective neutrally, avoiding emotional language and providing both sides of the argument. It remains objective in its reporting of the incident.

Net.hr logoNet.hrIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 759/7/2026
Croatia has shown anger over the waste and what now, will it be removed or will we forget about it?

The article discusses a protest in Croatia against the delay of hazardous waste disposal in Gospić. It highlights the discrepancy in estimates of the number of participants, ranging from 21,000 to 60,000, based on different calculations by experts and AI. The protest involved people of all ages and backgrounds, who expressed their frustration through creative slogans such as 'PFAS mater' and 'nature screams, trash whispers.' The article questions whether Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has responded to the protesters' demands.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the protest as a legitimate public concern over environmental issues, emphasizing the scale and emotional impact of the demonstration. While it does not overtly criticize the government, the focus on the citizens' anger and the lack of clear governmental action leans toward a left

Why factuality (85): The article provides an overview of the protest and references different estimates of attendance (21,000 to 60,000). It mentions the presence of various groups and the slogans used. However, it does not provide specific sourcing for these numbers, making them less verifiable compared to the first ar

Why objectivity (75): The article uses more emotionally charged language ('naljutilo je odlaganje opasnog otpada') and frames the situation as a public outcry. It questions the government's response and implies criticism of the prime minister, showing a clear leaning toward the protesters’ viewpoint.

tportal logotportalIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 709/2/2026
'This is a much deeper problem'

Residents of the Ličko-Senjska region are increasing pressure on the government ahead of a protest in Zagreb, emphasizing that the issue of waste management is part of a deeper structural problem related to security lapses by state institutions, particularly the police. They argue that while the cleanup process could take up to ten years, the perception of contamination in the area could continue to harm the local economy. The initiative requested inclusion of their representative in oversight bodies to ensure transparency and prevent communication gaps. Meanwhile, the civic initiative 'Gospić je naš dom' criticized the prime minister for suggesting they are not committed to resolving issues peacefully, despite 18 months of efforts to engage with authorities and seek solutions through dialogue.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives: the residents' concerns about systemic issues and the civic initiative's criticism of the government's stance. It does not favor one side over the other but provides balanced quotes from both parties involved.

Why factuality (85): The article reports on the meeting between the Prime Minister and officials, confirming the initiative's absence and the government's plans. It aligns with other sources and provides specific details about the meeting's outcome.

Why objectivity (70): The tone is somewhat dismissive of the initiative's concerns, using phrases like 'predstavnici jedne udruge, koja je bila službeno pozvana,' which implies a lack of respect for the initiative's position.

tportal logotportalIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 709/2/2026
Bencic: 'Plenkovic is fleeing to Italy, let him take the bag from Gospić and ask Meloni if it is theirs'

Sandra Benčić, aktivista, oštre je kritikovala premijera Andreja Plenkovića zbog njegovog odlaska u Gospić tri dana prije velikog prosvjeda protiv vlade, koji se održavao u subotu u Zagrebu. Kritika je usmjeren na činjenicu da je Plenković odlučio ne sudjelovati na prosvjedu, umjesto da se fokusira na rješavanje problema otpada. Benčić je ironično sugerirala da bi premijer trebao poneti vreće otpada iz Gospića i pitati italijansku liderku Giorgia Meloniju da li su njihove. Premijer je objasnio da će sudjelovati na konferenciji u Italiji, a da se vlada bavi rješavanjem problema, a ne prosvjedovanjem. Na sastanku u Gospiću, s ministrima, Plenković je dao izjavu o napretku u sanaciji otpada, naglašavajući suradnju s raznim institucijama i planove za odvoz otpada. Međutim, predstavnici građanske inicijative 'Gospić je naš dom' odbili su sudjelovati, smatrajući da je premijerov dolazak neposredno prije prosvjeda politička šteta.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames Premier Plenković's absence from the protest as politically motivated and dismissive of citizen concerns, using sarcastic and critical language ('bježi u Italiju', 'saniranje političke štete'). The tone suggests a left-leaning perspective by emphasizing public dissatisfaction and抨

Why factuality (85): The article reports on Sandra Benčić's criticism of Premier Andrej Plenković for his absence during a protest and his planned trip to Italy. It provides details about the timing of events, the nature of the protest, and quotes from both Benčić and Plenković. The information aligns with the cross-sou

Why objectivity (70): The tone of the article leans towards critical commentary on Plenković's actions, using phrases like 'bježi u Italiju' which implies a negative judgment. While it presents facts, there is a clear political bias in favor of the protesters and against the government.

Index.hr logoIndex.hrIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 659/7/2026
Božinović: It is important that the protest passed without police action

Ministar unutarnjih poslova Davor Božinović komentirao je subotnji prosvjed 'Hodaj za Liku, hodaj za Hrvatsku', ističući da je prosvjed prošao bez policijskog postupanja, što je smatrao važnim znakom da je sve prošlo u skladu s demokratskim principima. Kada mu je upitan o broju sudionika prosvjeda, Božinović je objasnio da policija više ne izlaže takve podatke i da ga zanima broj policijskih postupanja. Također je naglasio potrebu za saniranjem otpada i izrazio podršku vladi u rješavanju problema. Ministar je također dotaknuo požar u Omišu i napomenuo da se još traju izvidi oko incidenta. U vezi s aferezom

Bias read (Center): The article presents a statement by Minister Božinović regarding a peaceful protest, emphasizing the absence of police intervention. While the subject is politically charged (protests and governance), the framing remains neutral, focusing on official statements rather than taking a clear ideological

Why factuality (85): Provides more detailed information about the protest size (around 30,000 people) and includes quotes from organizers and participants, which aligns with other sources. Factually accurate and adds context.

Why objectivity (65): This article has a stronger critical tone towards the government, highlighting the citizens' concerns and the scale of the protest. It frames the issue as a significant public concern rather than just a political statement.

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 659/7/2026
Božinović: It is important that Saturday's protest was peaceful and without police action

Ministar unutarnjih poslova Davor Božinović je izrazio zadovoljstvo da je subotnji prosvjed 'Hodaj za Liku, hodaj za Hrvatsku' prošao mirno i bez policijskog postupanja, naglašavajući da to pokazuje da je sve prošlo u skladu s demokratskim principima. Kada mu je upitan o broju sudionika prosvjeda, Božinović je objasnio da policija više ne publikira takve podatke i da ga zanima broj postupaka. Također je istaknuo potrebu za saniranjem otpada, posebno u vezi sa projektom za zbrinjavanje 650 tona otpada na lokaciji bivše tvornice PPK Velebit. Ministar je također spominjao daljnje istraživanje oko požara u Omišu i napomenuo da se trenutno provode dodatne analize. Na pitanje o internoj istragi policije oko slučaja s Annom Dujić, Božinović je objasnio da su svi prikupljeni podaci dostavljeni tužiteljstvu i da se čeka njegova odluka.

Bias read (Center): Artikl predstavlja objektivnu izjavu ministra o događaju koji je bio u javnom interesu, bez jasne političke agresije ili preferencije. Iako se govori o političkom tematskom okviru (prosvjed), tekst se fokusira na opisivanje događaja i reagovanje na njega, bez evidentnog slanja. Uglavnom se koriste n

Why factuality (80): Provides detailed account of the protest, including participant numbers and quotes from Troskot, which aligns with other sources. Offers additional insight into the political implications.

Why objectivity (65): Tone is critical of the government, particularly in blaming them for the current state of waste management. While factual, it carries a clear political bias.

Net.hr logoNet.hrIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 709/7/2026
Božinović on the protest over waste: 'It is important that it passed without police action'

Croatia's Minister of Internal Affairs, Davor Božinović, commented on the recent protest 'Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia,' emphasizing that it passed peacefully without police intervention, which he views as a positive sign for democratic processes. When asked about the number of participants, Božinović noted that the police have not provided such figures for some time and expressed interest only in data related to police actions. He also addressed concerns regarding waste management, stating that the government would handle the issue effectively. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing investigations into the recent fire in Omiš and the handling of allegations against a traffic police chief in Šibenik.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of Minister Božinović's comments on the protest and related issues without evident bias toward any political side. It includes his statements on the peaceful nature of the protest, the lack of police involvement, and the government's approach to various issues

Why factuality (75): Article reports accurately on Božinović’s statements regarding the protest not involving police action, aligning with other sources. It does not provide specific numbers from police but reflects the official stance. Cross-source consensus supports this narrative.

Why objectivity (70): The tone is somewhat supportive of the government's position, using phrases like 'važno da je prošlo mirno' which imply approval of the lack of police intervention. There is some bias towards the government's handling of the issue.

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) logoHRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterFactual 75Objective 709/7/2026
Božinović: It is important that Saturday's protest passed without police action

Minister of Internal Affairs Davor Božinović stated that Saturday's protest 'Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia' passed without police intervention, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and order in a democratic state. When asked about the number of participants, he noted that police have not provided such figures for some time and expressed interest only in data related to police actions. He also addressed concerns regarding waste management, stating that the government would continue making appropriate decisions during crises. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing investigations into the recent fire in Omiš and emphasized the need for professional and transparent communication regarding waste handling by companies like Tabak Group.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of Minister Božinović's statements regarding the peaceful conduct of the protest and his responses to various issues including waste management and police operations. There is no evident bias towards any particular political stance, and the content remains fact-f

Why factuality (75): Consistent with other articles in reporting Božinović's comments on the protest and police involvement. No new information added, maintains alignment with cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (70): Similar to Article 0, there is a subtle support for the government's approach, especially in emphasizing the importance of the protest being peaceful. Language leans slightly toward endorsing the government's actions.

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 659/3/2026
From actors and academics to entrepreneurs and priests: Big support for Gospić protest

The article reports on a citizens' initiative called 'Gospić is Our Home,' which has received support from over 300 organizations, civic initiatives, and individuals across Croatia. The protest, planned for September 5th in Zagreb, aims to raise awareness about dangerous waste issues in Gospić and Lika. Supporters include actors, academics, journalists, activists, lawyers, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and even a priest. The organizers emphasize that the issue of hazardous waste transcends political and ideological divisions, advocating for collective action to protect public health and the environment. They call on citizens nationwide to join the demonstration and support the residents of Gospić and Lika.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a politically sensitive issue related to environmental concerns and public health, the framing remains balanced by highlighting diverse supporters from various backgrounds and ideologies. There is no overt ideological slant or emphasis on one side over another. The focus,

Why factuality (75): Reports on Božinović's statements similar to other articles, but lacks depth on the protest itself. Aligns with cross-source consensus on his remarks.

Why objectivity (65): Tone is supportive of the government, particularly in downplaying the significance of the protest and focusing on the government's response. Language suggests approval of the government's stance.

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentProgressiveFactual 60Objective 409/2/2026
The initiative from Gospić sent a message to Plenkovic: nothing for 18 months, and three days before the protest he would have sat at the table...

The civil initiative 'Gospić je naš dom' responded to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković after he visited Gospić and announced the current state of illegal waste management. The initiative criticized Plenković's statement that problems are solved at the table, not on the street, calling it inappropriate. They pointed out that 18 months have passed since their initial calls for action, and three days before the largest protest in Croatia, they were ignored. The group emphasized that citizens have been living with these issues for years, facing illegal waste disposal and lack of legal protection. They accused the government of not addressing the real problems and claimed that the system has not improved despite claims of new dynamics. The initiative stressed that the law is being violated and called for accountability.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the criticism of the government's handling of waste management as a failure to address citizen concerns, using strong language to highlight systemic neglect and injustice. The tone suggests a left-leaning perspective by emphasizing grassroots activism and legal rights over state-c

Why factuality (60): The article mentions the selection of Kostak for the cleanup work in Gospić and references the prior legal issues with the company. However, it includes inaccuracies such as the claim that the company was found guilty of illegal dumping last year, which is not explicitly stated in the primary source

Why objectivity (40): The article has a strong critical tone towards the government, using phrases like 'krajnje neprimjereno obraćanje građanima' (extremely inappropriate treatment of citizens). It frames the situation as a political failure without providing balanced perspectives.

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