The ruling party in Croatia has rejected conclusions calling for urgent waste cleanup in the Lika region, according to Nikola Grmoja, president of the Most parliamentary group. Speaking in Split on Saturday, Grmoja criticized the government for its decision during an extraordinary session of the Croatian Parliament to reject all proposals aimed at immediate action against hazardous waste in Lika and regular reporting on the condition of soil, groundwater, and drinking water. He emphasized that the government's refusal to act on these issues undermines public trust and highlights a lack of responsibility toward environmental protection. Grmoja cited confirmation from the chief state prosecutor regarding allegations published in July that indicate groundwater and soil have already been contaminated with dangerous chemicals. He argued that the government’s focus on clean air and safe drinking water while ignoring the contamination of soil and groundwater is akin to saying “the second floor has air conditioning” when the first floor is on fire. He further accused the ruling party of boasting about having gathered enough votes to reject opposition proposals, calling this a reflection of their weakness, recklessness, and willingness to sacrifice valuable resources, such as water and the environment, for financial gain before concealing the damage caused. Despite the rejection, Grmoja stated that Most will continue working on the issue, particularly highlighting the efforts of MP Zvonimir Troskot, who has systematically addressed the problem over months through fieldwork with residents in Lika. He announced new initiatives aimed at protecting Croatia’s karst terrain, soil, and water resources, emphasizing that the group would not be discouraged by the recent vote. The planned demonstration in Zagreb on September 5, he noted, is organized by civil initiatives from Lika and does not involve political parties, urging members and supporters of Most to participate and show solidarity with Lika residents. Grmoja pointed out that everyone in Croatia faces challenges related to waste, illegal landfills, and hazardous materials, stating that the issue affects all citizens. He raised concerns about the possibility of a state inspector accepting bribes to overlook the import of hazardous waste from Italy, warning that Croatia must not remain silent in such cases. On the topic of gathering signatures for a motion of no confidence in the government, he stressed the necessity of such an initiative and pledged Most’s support, acknowledging that the ruling party would likely reject it again using their majority but seeing it as an opportunity to reiterate key points and push for swift action on the cleanup. He recalled that Most was the first to raise the question of a no-confidence vote and had invited the entire opposition to a meeting, though no one responded. Despite this, Most signed the initiative proposed by the left-wing opposition. As a potential model for addressing the situation, Grmoja suggested organizing a public tender to select a manager responsible for leading the urgent cleanup of hazardous waste, not just in Lika but throughout Croatia, under the supervision of a multi-party parliamentary committee. This approach, he explained, would ensure clear accountability and oversight. When asked about the resignation of Ernest Petry, Grmoja declined to comment, repeating his previous stance that it is not within his level of responsibility. He urged others who were affected by Petry’s membership in the Presidency to address the matter instead.
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