Plenković llega a Gospić, los ciudadanos lo boicotean

Premier Andrej Plenković and his ministers will arrive in Gospić tomorrow for a meeting focused on the remediation of illegally dumped hazardous waste, according to local authorities. The gathering is set for 9:00 AM at the offices of the Ličko-Senjska županija. It comes just three days before the planned nationwide protest “Hodaj za Liku, hodaj za Hrvatsku” in Zagreb, which aims to draw attention to the long-standing failure of institutions to address illegal waste dumping. The protest, organized by the citizens' initiative “Gospić je naš dom,” has been met with resistance from the government. Representatives of the initiative have stated they were not invited to the meeting, despite having previously submitted multiple formal requests to Premier Plenković. According to Daria Došen, spokesperson for the initiative, the lack of official invitation reflects a pattern of dismissive behavior by state officials toward grassroots efforts. Došen emphasized that the group’s decision not to attend the meeting was based on their belief that the government’s approach, holding meetings close to the date of the protest, is more about political damage control than addressing the real issues. She described the government's actions as predictable, noting that similar tactics had been used in past instances of public unrest in Gospić and nearby areas. “The government has repeatedly shown that it prioritizes political survival over meaningful engagement with citizens,” she said. “We’ve written to the premier four times, yet received no response. We proposed preventive measures, conducted analyses with experts, and remained open to dialogue. But we were forced to take to the streets because institutional responses were inadequate.” The issue at hand involves nearly 37,000 tons of illegally disposed hazardous waste located in Bilajska Street, Gospić. Environmental specialists from the Faculty of Geotechnics confirmed that parts of the waste exhibit toxic properties, and the soil has been severely contaminated with heavy metals. Some areas of the site are identified as permanently damaged habitats. Without immediate action, there is a risk of further environmental degradation. Despite these findings, the government has maintained that it is handling the situation seriously and systematically. Officials claim water quality for drinking purposes is safe and that plans for waste removal and disposal are being prepared. However, critics argue that these assurances are insufficient and that the government has failed to act decisively. The conflict has reached the legislative level, with an extraordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies discussing the issue. Opposition groups called for urgent remediation and accountability, while ruling party representatives accused activists of politicizing the crisis. The debate highlighted deepening tensions between the government and civil society, with both sides accusing each other of lacking transparency and commitment. As the protest approaches, the initiative continues to mobilize support from across Croatia. Members report receiving encouragement from citizens, environmental organizations, and labor unions. They describe a growing sense of collective determination, fueled by shared concerns over environmental justice and democratic accountability. “We remain committed to our demands,” Došen said. “We are ready to engage in dialogue after the protest, as we always have been. But until then, we will continue to raise our voices.” The group is preparing to present its grievances publicly during the demonstration, hoping to pressure the government into taking tangible steps toward resolving the ongoing crisis.