President Milanović makes surprise visit to leftist festival in Šibenik

President Zoran Milanović made an unannounced visit last night to the alternative leftist festival “Fališ” in Šibenik, drawing criticism from the right and veterans.

He was greeted with applause but did not speak to reporters. Defense Minister Ivan Anušić said Milanović was free to attend.

"President Milanović has the right to visit whatever festival he wants and to go wherever he wants. I don't see anything wrong with that. His visit to this festival is legitimate,” said Anušić.

Most MP Nikola Grmoja called Milanović a hypocrite.

"This is not a leftist festival. Croatia needs a healthy left to advocate for workers' rights. This has nothing to do with workers' rights. The intention here is to deconstruct the Homeland War, to question it, to lay equal blame all around. It's interesting that Milanović goes there now but in a few months - if it benefits him - he'll be on the right again," said Grmoja.

Local veterans said they plan to protest the event, arguing it should not receive taxpayer funding.

"As the old saying goes, birds of a feather, flock together. This is Croatian democracy at work. The President and anyone else can attend whatever event they want,” said veteran Željko Šižgorić, who said the protest will take place on Sunday, September 7th at 5 pm in Šibenik's central square.

“We want to warn that government institutions, whether city, county or state, are not doing their job, that is, they should not be spending taxpayers' money on political rallies that are pretending to be cultural events,” said Šižgorić.

The protest follows the cancelling of an alternative festival last month in Benkovac under pressure from veterans' groups.