Opposition demands accountability over Gospić waste crisis as PM accuses them of politicizing issue

The opposition says it is determined to hold the government accountable for the waste crisis in Gospić.

SDP MP and member of Parliament’s Environment Committee Mihael Zmajlović has filed an environmental damage complaint with the Ministry of Environmental Protection. He says the government has yet to publish its cleanup plan, timeline or related documents.

“We are filing this complaint today, not because we expect it to repair the political damage the government has inflicted on itself. That is all they are trying to do. You saw yesterday that their visit to Gospić was not an attempt to clean up the illegally deposited waste, but to repair the political damage. That is no longer possible. We will not allow it. In situations like this, someone must be held accountable,” said Zmajlović.

Most MP Zvonimir Troskot claims a new hazardous waste site has been discovered in Lički Osik and is calling for an environmental emergency to be declared across the wider Gospić and Benkovac areas and the Zadar hinterland.

“In 2025, locals in Gospić tested the water at three locations. There were no poisonous compounds or chemicals in the groundwater. On August 6, 2025, PFAS particles and the entire poisonous cocktail were detected in the groundwater. With this kind of inertia, and with the Rakitovac landfill being ignored and dangerous waste being covered instead of removed, this will reach the local water supply within 365 days,” said Troskot.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković commented on his visit to Gospić on Wednesday, where he addressed the hazardous waste crisis. He pledged to speed up the cleanup and again reassured the public that Gospić’s water is safe to drink.

Plenković also expressed disappointment that not all grassroots initiatives involved in the issue attended a meeting with government officials, where he said all their questions were answered. Backed by the opposition, one of the initiatives is planning a large protest in Zagreb on Saturday.

The Prime Minister acknowledged their democratic right to protest but said the issue was being politicized and that protests would not solve the waste problem.

“This is exploitation, pure politicking aimed at creating a wave of protests like those that followed the roof collapse in Novi Sad. It’s as clear as day. We know who we are dealing with. After three consecutive defeats, the opposition decided on a strategy of creating chaos following the 2020 elections. It started last year after the Hippodrome concert, with allegations of fascism, corruption, inflation and occupation, and now waste pollution.

“Politically, I understand it, and that’s fine, but it is important for the public to understand that protests will not solve the problem, nor will the opposition or their surrogates in the media and on social media. The government will solve the problem,” said Plenković.