The Zadar councillor cursed the people at the protest: 'Trample them all in a row!
A petition has been launched demanding sanctions against Mate Lukić, the mayor of Zadar, following his alleged misconduct during the 'Hodaj za Liku, hodaj za Hrvatsku' protest in Zagreb. According to reports, Lukić was recorded verbally abusing, pushing, and insulting citizens, including elderly people and women, while publicly sharing the footage on social media. The incident was first reported by Morski.hr, which shared a video of his behavior. The petition, initiated by Dr. sc. Miranda Levanat-Peričić, calls on the Ethics Board of the Zadar County Council to investigate and impose the strictest sanctions against Lukić for violating the ethical code. The petition highlights concerns over the degradation of local and national political culture and warns of negative messages sent to youth and vulnerable groups. It argues that such behavior undermines the image of a culturally rich city and sets a dangerous precedent.
A petition has been launched demanding sanctions against Mate Lukić, the mayor of Zadar, following footage of him verbally abusing and physically pushing members of the public during a protest in Zagreb. The video, which shows Lukić using derogatory language and directing participants away from him, was shared online after being captured by journalists. The protest, titled "Hodaj za Liku, hodaj za Hrvatsku," aimed to raise awareness about illegal waste dumping in Gospić. Lukić's actions have sparked outrage among citizens and prompted calls for accountability. The incident occurred during a demonstration attended by residents from across Croatia. According to the footage, Lukić directed protesters two meters away, used offensive language, and called them names considered inappropriate in public spaces. He later posted a second clip on social media, in which he said, "Pi*ka vam materina komunistička, gazi ih sve od reda," before deleting it from his profile. The video has since circulated widely, drawing criticism for its content. A petition has been initiated by Dr. sc. Miranda Levanat-Peričić, a professor at the University of Zadar’s Department of Croatian Studies, urging the Ethics Committee of the Zadar County Council to investigate Lukić and impose the strictest possible sanctions. The petition argues that Lukić’s behavior violates ethical codes and undermines the dignity of the city and region. It highlights the unacceptable nature of addressing elderly women with vulgar language and emphasizes that such conduct should not be tolerated in public life. The petitioners claim that Lukić’s actions send harmful messages to young people, suggesting that aggressive and disrespectful behavior is acceptable and even desirable. They warn that such conduct could create negative role models for vulnerable groups, including youth seeking guidance, and discourage respectful citizens while reinforcing the notion that politics is reserved for aggressive individuals. The petition urges society to draw a clear line against such behavior, warning that failing to address it today could normalize primitive attitudes in all cities and municipalities in Croatia. Lukić has responded to the allegations, stating that the footage was not an act of aggression but rather a reaction to insults from the crowd, including remarks like "Vidi ih, sramota." He claimed that people were throwing water bottles at him and denied feeling ashamed. However, critics argue that his response fails to acknowledge the severity of the situation and the impact of his actions on public perception. Lukić has previously drawn controversy over his comments on migrants, foreign workers, LGBTQ+ individuals, the NDH, and Serbs. In 2024, police conducted an interview with him due to remarks he made about Nepalese intelligence levels. In May 2026, he posted a photo related to the NDH and referred to partisans as "opančari and tifusari," suggesting history is not always written by the victors. He has also used derogatory terms for Bosniaks and expressed views that have been criticized as inflammatory. Meanwhile, the mayor of Ličko-Senj, Ernest Petry, addressed concerns regarding illegal waste disposal in Gospić. He acknowledged the issue and stated that he had discussed it with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who was visiting the area. Petry admitted that his behavior during the protest was inappropriate and apologized to the public and his family. He emphasized that his work in the region, including over 300 projects in five years, justifies his position. He noted that he learned about the waste issue through the media and that some residents had raised concerns earlier, though he was unaware of the extent of the problem until recently. Petry stated that he would not resign from his position, citing his contributions to the community. He mentioned that one employee had issued a permit for non-hazardous waste, which was later misused for hazardous waste. He confirmed that an investigation into this individual has been initiated. He also noted that he did not personally receive complaints about the waste issue before the protests and that he and other residents were not aware of the illegal waste transport into Gospić. Despite these statements, Petry expressed concern over the broader implications of the incident, emphasizing the need for responsible governance and transparency. He reiterated that responsibility for the waste issue will be determined through legal proceedings and that all parties involved will face appropriate consequences.
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A petition has been launched demanding sanctions against Mate Lukić, the mayor of Zadar, following his alleged misconduct during the 'Hodaj za Liku, hodaj za Hrvatsku' protest in Zagreb. According to reports, Lukić was recorded verbally abusing, pushing, and insulting citizens, including elderly people and women, while publicly sharing the footage on social media. The incident was first reported by Morski.hr, which shared a video of his behavior. The petition, initiated by Dr. sc. Miranda Levanat-Peričić, calls on the Ethics Board of the Zadar County Council to investigate and impose the strictest sanctions against Lukić for violating the ethical code. The petition highlights concerns over the degradation of local and national political culture and warns of negative messages sent to youth and vulnerable groups. It argues that such behavior undermines the image of a culturally rich city and sets a dangerous precedent.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the incident as a violation of ethical standards and public conduct, emphasizing the need for accountability and the negative impact of aggressive political behavior. The tone criticizes the actions of a local politician and aligns with values typically associated with progressive
Why factuality (90): This article provides a detailed account of the events, including the specific quotes from Lukić, the removal of the video from his profile, and the involvement of Morski.hr in reporting the incident. It closely mirrors the primary source document and includes direct quotes from the petition text. T
Why objectivity (65): While the article is factually accurate, it uses strongly negative language such as 'skandaloznom ponašanju' and 'psuje', which convey a clear bias against Lukić. The emphasis on his aggressive behavior and the call for sanctions suggests a more critical perspective, reducing overall objectivity.
The article reports on a controversy involving Ernest Petry, the mayor of Ličko-Senj, who faced criticism for inappropriate behavior towards an employee in public. Petry addressed the issue publicly for the first time, acknowledging the misconduct but stating he would not resign from his position. He cited his extensive work record, including over 300 projects in five years, as justification. The article also discusses the illegal dumping of hazardous waste in Gospić, which has reached 37,000 tons, and mentions an upcoming protest in Zagreb. Petry claims he was unaware of the waste issue until information emerged through the media and that he has since initiated legal proceedings against responsible parties.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both Petry’s defense of his actions and the public criticism surrounding them without overtly favoring either side. It includes quotes from Petry and contextualizes the situation with background on the waste issue and his administrative responsibilities. While there is some tone
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reflects the content of the primary source document RTL-a, including Petry’s statement about not wanting to discuss the incident further, his refusal to resign, and his explanation regarding the waste issue. It also mentions his conversation with the Prime Minister and his sta
Why objectivity (65): The tone leans towards supporting Petry’s position, especially when discussing his decision not to attend the protest. The article frames his actions as reasonable and justified, which may reflect a bias toward his perspective rather than presenting both sides equally.
The article discusses the reaction of Igor Pleše, mayor of Delnice, to criticism regarding the city's approach to tourism development. Following the city's failure to participate in a regional competition for tourist infrastructure funding, there was public debate and discussions within the municipal council. The mayor acknowledges the criticism but emphasizes that Delnice has a strategic plan for tourism development and that the issue lies in the current pace of implementation due to financial constraints. He highlights the comprehensive nature of the tourism development plan, which includes branding, events, spatial planning, and infrastructure projects across various locations in the area.
Bias read (Center): While the article addresses a politically sensitive topic related to local governance and public administration, the framing remains balanced. The mayor responds directly to criticisms without overtly attacking or defending any particular political stance. The focus is on clarifying the city’s plans
Why factuality (75): The article reports on public criticism regarding the city of Delnice not participating in a tourism competition, and quotes the mayor Igor Pleše responding to these criticisms. It mentions the debate on social media, meetings at the City Council, and references the city’s existing tourism strategy
Why objectivity (68): The tone remains relatively neutral, presenting both the criticism and the mayor’s response. However, there is a slight editorial tilt by emphasizing the mayor’s rebuttal and suggesting that the city has been actively involved in tourism planning, which could be seen as subtly supporting the mayor’s
The article discusses the mayor clarifying certain issues, though the specific content of the clarification is not detailed in the provided text. The headline suggests that the mayor has addressed a particular matter, possibly related to local governance or community concerns. However, due to the limited information available, further details regarding the nature of the clarification or its implications remain unclear.
Bias read (Center): The article does not exhibit clear signs of ideological framing, such as loaded language or one-sided sourcing. It simply mentions that the mayor has clarified something, without indicating a particular political stance or bias.
Why factuality (75): The article title 'Gradonačelnik je pojasnio' suggests the mayor clarified something, but no specific details are given. Without a primary source, we rely on cross-source consensus, which appears limited. The lack of specifics makes it difficult to assess full accuracy.
Why objectivity (65): The title implies a clarification by the mayor but does not provide context or balance. It lacks neutrality by suggesting the mayor had something to clarify without explaining what, potentially implying wrongdoing.
The article reports that Nova Gradiška, a municipality in Croatia, is holding its third election for mayor in recent years. The local council has decided to hold the election after the previous mayor resigned due to personal reasons. This marks a significant change in leadership for the town, which has seen several administrative transitions in the past few years. The election process is expected to follow standard municipal procedures, with candidates running under different political parties.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the election as a routine administrative event, focusing on the procedural aspects rather than taking a stance on any particular candidate or political party. It does not emphasize ideological differences or provide commentary on the implications of the election, maintaining a报道
Why factuality: no official source document/info detected
Why objectivity (40): As this article is not related to the subject matter, it cannot be assessed for objectivity in the context of the other articles. It fails to provide any relevant information about the petition or the alleged misconduct of Mate Lukić.
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How each side covered it
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