A political analyst has accused Croatia's president of failing to act decisively in response to an environmental crisis involving illegal waste disposal near Gospić, calling for urgent parliamentary action. Žarko Puhovski criticized President Zoran Milanović for not requesting an extraordinary session of the Croatian Parliament, stating that the situation represents one of the most severe crises faced by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s government. The issue centers around the illegal dumping of tens of thousands of tons of medical and plastic waste in the area, which has triggered an investigation by the State Judicial Administration (USKOK) against several individuals and companies. Despite public pressure and growing outrage over the handling of the case, no cleanup efforts have begun yet. The controversy began after reports emerged detailing the discovery of approximately 35,000 tons of hazardous waste illegally dumped in the region. This has raised serious concerns about the long-term impact on the environment, particularly due to the presence of PFAS compounds, chemicals known for being non-degradable and water-soluble, which can spread through water systems. Puhovski warned that the contamination could extend beyond the local area, potentially affecting coastal regions via rivers such as the Vrulje near Karlobag and the Velebit Channel. He emphasized that the damage might already be irreversible, requiring deep excavation to address the pollution effectively. According to Puhovski, the government should establish an independent body to oversee the situation and ensure transparency. He called for immediate oversight of relevant institutions, including the Office of the Prosecutor of the Republic of Croatia (DORH), the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the Ministry of Economy. He specifically mentioned the need to investigate the role of Andrija Mikulić, who had previously been involved in scandals related to quarry operations in the area. Puhovski also stressed that the parliament should play a more active role in monitoring executive actions, suggesting that an extraordinary session was necessary to hold the government accountable. In a separate statement, Nikola Grmoja, leader of the Most party, expressed disbelief at the scale of the disaster and announced new steps aimed at uncovering the full extent of the ecological catastrophe. He described the situation as a national concern, urging all political parties to collaborate on addressing the issue. Grmoja stated that he did not believe public hearings were necessary since the actors involved were already well-known. However, he insisted on the need for an extraordinary session of the parliament, emphasizing that only the president of the republic or the speaker of the parliament could convene such a meeting if requested by parliamentary groups. Marija Selak Raspudić, a member of the DRITO party, took a stronger stance, demanding that the current government resign due to its failure to respond adequately to the crisis. She argued that this incident marked a turning point in Croatia's political landscape, highlighting the need for institutional accountability and legal consequences for those responsible. Selak Raspudić called for the introduction of legislation defining ecocide as the most severe environmental crime, noting that such proposals were already under consideration in the parliament. She urged the president to exercise his constitutional powers to expedite the process and called for collective action among opposition forces to challenge the government's credibility. The situation has sparked widespread debate about the effectiveness of Croatia's governance structures in dealing with environmental issues. While some analysts argue that the crisis could lead to a government collapse, others suggest that the focus should remain on establishing robust oversight mechanisms rather than immediate resignation. The ongoing investigations and calls for parliamentary intervention reflect the gravity of the situation and the urgency felt by many stakeholders. As the discussions continue, the outcome will depend largely on how swiftly and transparently the authorities address the concerns raised by citizens and political figures alike.
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