ON
← Back to feed
Member of the Gospićana initiative: On September 5 in Zagreb we expect people from all over Croatia
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsProgressiveOverlooked by conservatives8/22/2026

Member of the Gospićana initiative: On September 5 in Zagreb we expect people from all over Croatia

The Croatian Parliament (Sabor) rejected all four proposals by President Zoran Milanović regarding the illegal waste dump in Gospić, opting instead for conclusions proposed by the ruling majority. These conclusions call on the government to submit a report on the progress of the cleanup within 90 days. Opposition representatives criticized the lack of concrete solutions and clear deadlines for addressing the environmental issue. Vjeko Bušić, a member of the 'Gospić je naš dom' civic initiative, expressed disappointment with the parliamentary outcome, emphasizing the need for urgent and professional action. He highlighted that authorities knew about the problem since 2023 but failed to act until late 2024. Bušić expects a large demonstration in Zagreb on September 5th, involving people from across Croatia, as the issue is not isolated to Gospić.

The Croatian parliament, known as the Sabor, has rejected all four proposals made by President Zoran Milanović regarding the illegal waste dump in Gospić, while adopting conclusions proposed by the ruling majority. These new conclusions call upon the government to submit a report on the progress of the cleanup within 90 days. The proposals from the president were criticized by opposition members who argued they lacked specific measures and clear deadlines for addressing the environmental crisis. The decision was reached during an extraordinary session of the Sabor, where the ruling majority’s conclusions were approved with a majority vote. Opposition representatives expressed disappointment, noting that the conclusions fail to address the urgent need for immediate action or specialized treatment of the hazardous waste site. They emphasized that there is no mention of strict legal obligations or timelines for remediation, which has led to continued environmental harm and public distrust. Vjeko Bušić, a member of the civic initiative "Gospić je naš dom," appeared on RTL Hrvatska's program Danas and discussed the outcome of the parliamentary session. He stated that the conclusions adopted by the ruling majority do not provide any real solutions, and that the system responsible for these failures continues to operate without accountability. Bušić pointed out that the authorities knew about the issue since 2023, yet no preventive actions were taken until February 2025, despite existing laws requiring such measures. Bušić highlighted that the situation could have been addressed much earlier, emphasizing that the state failed to act even though it had the legal tools to do so. He noted that the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Inspectorate were aware of the dangers but did not take appropriate steps. As a result, the contamination continues to spread, posing ongoing risks to public health and the environment. In preparation for a large protest in Zagreb on September 5th, the civic initiative "Gospić je naš dom" and its affiliated organization "Lička ekološka akcija" are organizing a demonstration against the illegal dumping of hazardous waste in Bilajsko Street, Gospić. The organizers have announced that the protest will include a clear message that political figures will not be allowed to dominate the discussion. Activists and local residents will be the sole participants, with no political affiliations involved. Bušić clarified that the initiative has no connection with the political party Možemo! and denied claims made by Hrvoje Zekanović, who accused them of being linked to the party. He reiterated that the group consists solely of citizens and activists, with no ties to politics. The protest aims to highlight the failure of institutions to respond effectively to the environmental crisis and to demand tangible solutions. Dušica Radojčić, chairwoman of the Sabor’s Committee for Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation, has called for public hearings to investigate the responsibility for the waste dump in Gospić. She argues that public hearings would be a more effective tool for holding officials accountable than internal committee meetings. Despite expectations that the ruling majority might reject this request, she insists on pushing forward with the proposal. Radojčić emphasized that the current approach has not yielded results, and that the lack of transparency and accountability has allowed the issue to persist. She questioned how it was possible for over 600 trucks carrying waste to pass through Gospić without oversight, highlighting the need to identify those responsible. She also stressed the importance of understanding the risks posed to public health and ensuring proper monitoring. She concluded by expressing hope that the upcoming meeting will reveal previously unknown information and that the focus will remain on identifying past failures to prevent similar incidents in the future. She warned that Croatia has become a haven for those seeking to dispose of waste quickly, with guarantees offered to foreign importers that are insufficient to cover the damage caused. The cost of cleaning up the mess falls on the public, and someone must be held accountable.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (3)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

5 reports

Index.hr logoIndex.hrIndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 708/21/2026
Member of the Gospićana initiative: On September 5 in Zagreb we expect people from all over Croatia

The Croatian Parliament (Sabor) rejected all four proposals by President Zoran Milanović regarding the illegal waste dump in Gospić, opting instead for conclusions proposed by the ruling majority. These conclusions call on the government to submit a report on the progress of the cleanup within 90 days. Opposition representatives criticized the lack of concrete solutions and clear deadlines for addressing the environmental issue. Vjeko Bušić, a member of the 'Gospić je naš dom' civic initiative, expressed disappointment with the parliamentary outcome, emphasizing the need for urgent and professional action. He highlighted that authorities knew about the problem since 2023 but failed to act until late 2024. Bušić expects a large demonstration in Zagreb on September 5th, involving people from across Croatia, as the issue is not isolated to Gospić.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as a failure of the current system and emphasizes the need for urgent action, which aligns with left-wing concerns over governmental accountability and environmental protection. The focus on systemic failures and calls for stronger oversight reflect a progressive slt

Why factuality (90): The article accurately summarizes the parliamentary decision regarding the rejection of the president’s proposals and the acceptance of the ruling majority’s conclusions. It includes direct quotes from Vjekoslav Bušić and aligns closely with the primary source document, though it slightly simplifies

Why objectivity (70): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone but still shows a slight preference for the perspective of the opposition and the grassroots initiative. While it avoids overtly biased language, it frames the situation in a way that emphasizes the shortcomings of the current system.

Telegram.hr logoTelegram.hrIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 708/17/2026
The head of the Environmental Protection Committee: "We have become a wasteful Eldorado. I will ask for public hearings even though the HDZ will refuse".

Dušica Radojčić, predsjednica saborskog Odbora za zaštitu okoliša i zastupnica stranke Možemo!, naveo je da će zatražiti javno saslušanje u vezi s deponijom otpada u Gospiću, uz naglasavanje da je to bolji alat za utvrđivanje odgovornosti. Njena pozivnica je usmjerena prema tome da se utvrdi konačna odgovornost za prevoz 600 kamiona otpada preko granice, što je prema njoj nedopušteno. Radojčić je također pominjala nedostatak djelovanja službi koje nadziru takve postupke, te naglašava potrebu za transparentnošću i procjenu rizika za zdravlje stanovništva. Ona je izrazila nadu da će na sjednici čuti nove informacije i da će se utvrditi propusti koji su doprinijeli situaciji. Uz to, napisala je da Hrvatska postaje „otpadni Eldorado“ za one koji žele brzo riješiti otpad, a da se šteta sanira na računu građana.

Bias read (Progressive): Artikel fokusira na kritiku vlade i političkih stranaka kao što je HDZ, koristeći opsesivno pitanje o odgovornosti i propustima u upravljanju otpadom. Korištenje izraza „Eldorado“ za opis Hrvatske sugerira kritički stav prema političkim autoritetima. Naglasavanje potrebe za javnim saslušanjem kao me

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports on the political developments around the illegal waste disposal issue in Lika, including the call for public hearings by Dušica Radojčić and the opposition's stance. It references the primary source document regarding the parliamentary majority and the potential for an

Why objectivity (70): The tone is somewhat emotionally charged, particularly when describing the situation in Lika as 'otpadni Eldorado,' which implies a strong negative judgment. The article also frames the opposition's actions as necessary and justified, showing some bias towards the environmental activists' perspectiv

Telegram.hr logoTelegram.hrIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 658/22/2026
In Zagreb, a big protest is being prepared because of the poisoning in Lika: "There will be no place for politicians on the stage"

In Zagreb, a large protest is being organized by the civil initiative 'Gospić is our home' and their sister organization 'Lika ecological action' on September 5th against dangerous waste that has been illegally dumped in Bilajska Street in Gospić over the years. The organizers emphasize that the protest will not include space for politicians or their representatives, stating they are solely activists and local residents. They reject claims that members of the initiative are connected to the political party Možemo! and insist they have no ties to politics. The group expresses dissatisfaction with the conclusions of the ruling majority adopted at an extraordinary session of the Parliament, arguing that timely institutional responses could have prevented the pollution and that the current conclusions lack concrete solutions.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the protest as a grassroots movement opposing political inaction and institutional failure, emphasizing the disconnect between citizens and politicians. It highlights the frustration with the ruling majority’s conclusions, implying a left-leaning critique of political elites. The措

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the planned protest in Zagreb and quotes Vjekoslav Bušić from the initiative. It mentions the rejection of the president’s proposals by the parliament and the adoption of the ruling majority’s conclusions. However, it omits some specific details from the primary source

Why objectivity (65): The article has a clear bias against the political system and the ruling majority, using phrases like 'we have no connection to politics' and implying criticism toward the government. The tone is somewhat confrontational and lacks neutrality in presenting the situation.

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 758/16/2026
The organizer of the protest in Gospić: "How could 40 trucks pass through customs?"

Residents of Gospić protested against the accumulation of waste in the town, expressing fear of contamination and stating that many no longer drink tap water due to concerns over safety. The protest was organized by Mile Ilić, representing the Citizens' Association for the Rescue of Like, who criticized local authorities and institutions for failing to address the issue for 18 months. Ilić questioned how 40 trucks could have passed through customs without being stopped, suggesting negligence by police and urban planners. He also held the municipal company responsible for knowing about the incoming waste and managing it properly. The National Assembly Committee for Environmental Protection and Nature is set to meet in the area.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as a failure of government and institutional oversight, emphasizing the lack of action by authorities and questioning their accountability. It highlights the residents' distrust in official bodies and criticizes the government's inaction, which aligns with a leftward

Why factuality (80): This article provides details about the protest organized by Mile Ilić, highlighting community concerns over waste management and health risks. It includes quotes from local residents and organizers, which align with the primary source document discussing similar issues. The article also mentions le

Why objectivity (75): The article has a slightly more activist tone, emphasizing the frustration of the community and questioning the effectiveness of institutions. While it presents facts, it leans towards portraying the authorities as negligent, which introduces a slight bias toward the protesters’ perspective.

tportal logotportalIndependentProgressiveFactual 70Objective 758/16/2026
PHOTO Protest in Gospić: 'The figure is surrounded by a ring of evil'

Hundreds of citizens gathered in Gospić on Sunday morning at Trg Stjepana Radića for a protest against hazardous waste and fear of environmental pollution in Lika. The event was organized by local activists, including Mile Ilić, who warned that areas such as Gospić, Otočac, Udbina, Perušić, and Gračac are threatened by pollution. Participants wore banners with messages like 'Liku su izdali i zavili u crno' and 'Otrovali su vodu, tlo i zrak,' emphasizing the urgency of the issue. Politicians such as Dalija Orešković and Tomislav Jonjić attended the demonstration. Organizers called for specific actions from relevant authorities to address the environmental concerns.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the protest as a grassroots movement highlighting environmental injustice and corporate negligence, using emotionally charged language ('prsten zla,' 'pošasti') that aligns with left-wing critiques of industrial harm. While the event includes politicians from various parties, the

Why factuality (70): The article accurately describes the protest but lacks specific details about the environmental issues discussed in the primary source. It focuses more on the protest itself rather than the underlying issues.

Why objectivity (75): The article uses emotive language and phrases like 'prsten zla' ('ring of evil') which can be seen as biased and potentially inflammatory.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories