Croatia🏛️ PoliticsProgressiveOverlooked by conservatives9 hr. ago
SDP: "Plenkovic obviously found Istria as a hole to throw garbage in"
Representatives of the Istrian branch of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) met with protesters in Koromac near the Holcim cement plant and expressed outrage over the government's decision to burn waste from the PPK Velebit site at the cement plants. They accused Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of treating Istria as a 'dump' for waste. SDP parliamentary representative Sanja Radolović criticized the government for showing disrespect toward elected representatives and citizens who protested against the plan. She questioned what citizens could expect from institutions like the judiciary, state inspectorate, and the Office for the Protection of the Environment (DORH), especially after the prime minister unilaterally decided to burn 650 tons of waste at Holcim and Nexeo in Nasice overnight. The SDP also highlighted the lack of trust among residents in both local and national authorities, emphasizing the need for transparency and dialogue.
Protesters in Istria have gathered near the Holcim cement plant in Koromljan to oppose the decision by the government to burn waste from the PPK Velebit site at the cement plants in Holcim and Nexea. Representatives of the SDP (Social Democratic Party) from the Istrian County Council met with citizens and protesters, expressing frustration over the ruling and criticizing Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Minister Marija Vučković for their disregard of local authorities' decisions. SDP representatives, including Saborska zastupnica Sanja Radolović, Marija Blažina, and Zoran Karlić, emphasized that the government's decision was made without proper consultation or transparency. Radolović pointed out that the county council had requested an extraordinary session following the government’s September 10 decision, which she described as being ignored by the prime minister and his ministers. She criticized them for showing “absolute disrespect” toward legitimate representatives elected by the county council, stating that they rejected all political options except those aligned with the HDZ party. The protest focuses on the planned transportation and incineration of 650 tons of waste from the PPK Velebit site, which has raised concerns among residents due to potential environmental risks. Radolović questioned what citizens can expect from institutions such as the judiciary, the State Inspectorate, and the DORH, especially from the prime minister, who made the decision overnight without public input. She highlighted that Istria contributes more to the national budget than it receives back through healthcare, social services, education, and other systems. She called on Mayor Boris Miletić to directly contact Plenković and Vučković, asking whether the conclusions of the county council were stored in some boat or simply discarded. She accused the premier of ignoring the demands of almost the entire county council and suggested he might consider abolishing counties altogether if he believes they are unnecessary. Radolović went further, telling Plenković that if he does not respond to the requests of the people of Istria, he should not attend any official openings of future projects. She stated that the people of Istria deserve a respectful response, and if the government refuses to withdraw its decision, it should at least make it public. She concluded by saying that after being expelled from Zagreb, Karlovo, and other HDZ-aligned areas, Plenković found a new dumping ground, Istria, and that he is no longer welcome there. Marija Blažina, another SDP representative, echoed these sentiments, noting that the public no longer trusts any level of authority, including the government, regional administration, the mayor, or local authorities. She urged the company to establish dialogue with citizens who no longer trust anyone, emphasizing that distrust is directed towards nearly all levels of power. Zoran Karlić, a member of the county working group monitoring air quality in Koromljan and deputy head of the county council, confirmed that the SDP has opposed the importation of waste from Gospić since the beginning. He noted that the SDP’s stance from day one was to reject waste from Gospić, a position reaffirmed during the county council meeting. Therefore, members of the working group continue to request information about the composition of the waste before it arrives in Koromljan and is burned. Residents in Koromljan have also blocked the road to protest against the transport of waste from Lik. The situation highlights growing tensions between local communities and the central government over waste management practices, with protests continuing to gain momentum.
Go to the primary sources (1)
The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.
Residents of Istria protested against the decision by the Croatian government to reuse and incinerate waste from the PPK Velebit site at Holcim cement plants in Koromačno and Nexe. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of Istria, including Sanja Radolović, Marija Blažina, and Zoran Karlić, addressed the protesters and criticized the government's handling of the issue. They emphasized that the local government had already expressed opposition to the plan, but their concerns were ignored. Radolović accused Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Environment Minister Marija Vučković of showing disrespect toward the elected representatives of the Istrian County Assembly and the constitutional rights of regional self-government. She called on Plenković to directly contact the county mayor, Boris Miletić, to clarify whether the assembly’s decision was disregarded or if waste had already been transported to the plants.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the protest as a legitimate concern raised by the SDP, which is a left-leaning party, and criticizes the ruling HDZ-led government and Prime Minister Plenković for ignoring the local assembly's decision. The tone is critical of the central government and emphasizes the importance
Why factuality (94): The article accurately reports the event, including the involvement of SDP representatives, the location (Koromačn), and the reason for the protest (decision by the government regarding waste incineration). It quotes Sanja Radolović directly from the primary source document, using nearly identical w
Why objectivity (78): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'ovdje više nisi dobrodošao' (you're no longer welcome here) and frames the situation as a direct confrontation between the protesters and the prime minister. While it presents statements from SDP representatives, it lacks balance by not providin
Representatives of the Istrian SDP (Social Democratic Party) expressed outrage over Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s decision to burn 650 tons of waste at the Holcim cement plant in Koromano, calling it a disregard for local residents and democratic processes. They accused the government of treating citizens disrespectfully and ignoring their concerns, particularly regarding environmental impact and the lack of transparency. SDP representatives emphasized that the region contributes more to the state budget than it receives in return through social services and healthcare. They called for the prime minister to publicly address the issue rather than making unilateral decisions. The protest highlights growing distrust among locals toward all levels of authority, including the government, regional administration, and local authorities.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the government's actions as dismissive and authoritarian, emphasizing the voices of opposition parties and local activists. It criticizes the ruling party's lack of consultation and transparency, using strong language like 'nepoštovanje' (disrespect) and 'bacati smeće' (throwing垃圾
The article discusses local opposition in Istria to the decision by the Croatian government to burn 650 tons of waste from the PPK Velebit site in Gospić at cement plants in Holcim and Nexeo in Našice. Members of the SDP (Social Democratic Party), including Zoran Karlić and Sanja Radolović, expressed strong criticism of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Environment Minister Marija Vučković, accusing them of disrespecting local authorities and citizens' concerns. The SDP has opposed the waste transfer since the beginning, arguing that the government ignored legitimate protests and failed to engage with the community. They demand transparency and accountability from the government, emphasizing their distrust in both national and local institutions.
Bias read (Progressive): The article presents the perspective of the SDP, which is a leftist political party in Croatia, criticizing the government's decision and calling for greater accountability. The tone emphasizes the government's failure to respect local governance and citizen input, aligning with a left-leaning frame
Representatives of the Istrian branch of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) met with protesters in Koromac near the Holcim cement plant and expressed outrage over the government's decision to burn waste from the PPK Velebit site at the cement plants. They accused Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of treating Istria as a 'dump' for waste. SDP parliamentary representative Sanja Radolović criticized the government for showing disrespect toward elected representatives and citizens who protested against the plan. She questioned what citizens could expect from institutions like the judiciary, state inspectorate, and the Office for the Protection of the Environment (DORH), especially after the prime minister unilaterally decided to burn 650 tons of waste at Holcim and Nexeo in Nasice overnight. The SDP also highlighted the lack of trust among residents in both local and national authorities, emphasizing the need for transparency and dialogue.
Bias read (Progressive): The article presents criticism of the ruling government by the opposition SDP, accusing Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of making unilateral decisions without consulting local authorities or addressing public concerns. The framing emphasizes the government's alleged disregard for democratic process,
How each side covered it
The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.
progressive
center
conservative
★
How each side covered it
Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.
Croatia
