The Splits today have been hunting for politicians, and they didn't even show up!

Split's city council members held a press conference Friday morning to address a thematic session on cleanliness, which had been called by opposition member Davor Matijević (non-partisan). However, the session ultimately did not take place. Bojan Ivošević, a city councillor from the Centre list and former deputy mayor, criticized the move as a political spectacle and an unnecessary expense for taxpayers, especially since none of the organizers attended the meeting they had convened. Ivošević emphasized the absurdity of calling a session that directly costs citizens of Split while simultaneously denying city councillors access to relevant documentation. He argued that the ruling majority had organized a thematic session to which they did not respond, which he viewed as an insult to taxpayers. He noted that although city councillors receive a fixed allowance of €146, those responsible for technical equipment and similar tasks are paid per meeting. Today, there was a cost for taxpayers, a cost for something he has never seen before at the national, county, or municipal level, calling a session about the past. He criticized Tomislav Šuti (HDZ) for withholding documents related to cleanliness for over a month, despite organizing a thematic session on the topic. He also addressed controversial public procurement processes involving the purchase of filters, balers, and biostabilizers. He claimed that the filter procurement process was identical to that under the mandate of HDZ’s former mayor, Andre Krstulović Opara. He pointed out that the deadline for delivery to get the highest score was 60 days, suggesting the procurement was manipulated. Regarding the baler, which is currently non-functional, Ivošević stated that it had faced criticism from other political options and that it was legitimate to criticize because the director who wanted to install it with a mounting hall was stopped by the head of urban affairs, who said the mounting hall could not be built without a building permit. The machine functions but is not yet operational until spatial conditions are met. He dismissed claims that the biostabilizer was an unnecessary machine, citing the fact that its purchase was co-financed by the state and that the tender documentation was prepared by the Government Commission. He added that the biostabilizer was recommended and co-financed by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund and that the application for EU funds was submitted by the Government Commission of the Republic of Croatia, Mirna Veža. He noted that the most favorable option won the tender, adding that there was nothing questionable about this. Ivošević also highlighted that officials who led the procurement were employed during Krstulović Opara’s term and thus were affiliated with HDZ rather than the previous administration led by Ivica Puljak. He mentioned that evidence, such as emails contradicting the government's stance, were deliberately overlooked. He also commented on the cleaning of stones in the old city center, noting that the decision to award the contract through simple public procurement by Čistoća Split d.o.o. indicated that no company in Dalmatia can clean stone, according to the dead cold, who claim they are the only ones. Split’s mayor, Tomislav Šuta, responded after a group of Torcida supporters chanted Nazi slogans ahead of a football match between Hajduk and Ajax in Split. Šuta condemned the incident and expressed regret, stating that such behavior was unacceptable and should not occur in Split. He acknowledged feeling ashamed during part of the match, given it was an European game and the image being sent to the world. He apologized on behalf of the city and hoped such incidents would not happen again. Šuta reiterated his condemnation of the incident and the chants in honor of Adolf Hitler and Auschwitz, emphasizing that such behavior was neither acceptable nor permissible in Split. He described the message being sent from Split as very bad following Hajduk's magnificent victory after 16 years and a high-level match. He admitted feeling ashamed at one point during the match, considering it an international event and the image being conveyed globally. He once again offered an apology on behalf of the city and expressed hope that such incidents would not recur.