Zagreb mayor seeks court review after government steps in on handball event

The dispute between local and national authorities in Zagreb over a homecoming event for the Croatian men’s handball team continued Tuesday, a day after the team returned from the European Championships with a bronze medal.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the government had acted in the public interest, while Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said he would seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court.

At the center of the controversy is hyper-patriotic rock singer Marko Perković Thompson, whose concert in the capital last summer also sparked weeks of debate. The handball team wanted Thompson to perform at the event in Ban Jelačić Square. Tomašević refused and canceled the city-organized celebration, citing objections to the performer.

The government then stepped in and organized the homecoming itself, a move city officials say exceeded state authority and violated Zagreb’s right to local self-government.

Plenković said local authorities could not restrict an event of “national character.”

“The bronze medal in Denmark was not won by the majority in the Zagreb City Assembly. It was won by the Croatian national handball team,” Plenković said. He added that Zagreb is not only a local government unit but also the country’s capital, giving the state grounds to intervene after the city withdrew from organizing the event.

Tomašević accused the government of violating the constitution and undermining the city’s autonomy.

“I, as mayor, will not allow anyone to trample on the city’s decisions and authority,” he said.

He said the City Assembly would vote later this month on requesting a Constitutional Court review of the government’s decision.

Zagreb’s liberal leadership objects to Thompson’s lyrics and image, saying they verge on neo-fascism. The center-right, HDZ-led government and its right-wing allies say his music expresses patriotism and national unity.

Tomašević noted that Thompson did not perform songs considered controversial at the event, suggesting government influence over his set list. Plenković denied that claim.