After major protest, Minister Vučković says: “We have a plan B”

After a large protest in Zagreb, Environment and Green Transition Minister Marija Vučković promised that the government would present a comprehensive plan to clean up illegally dumped waste in Gospić by Sept. 20. The protest, called “Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia,” also highlighted other environmental “black spots” across the country.

Civic initiatives demanded independent, long-term monitoring of water, soil and air. Vučković said the government needed to monitor every part of the environment and would consider all the demands raised at the demonstration. She said the government had created a dedicated ministry in 2024 because of the focus on water and the protection of natural resources.

Protesters also called for political responsibility. Asked why she would not resign, Vučković said the problems had not appeared overnight and involved contaminated sites from different periods. “I can understand that people do not want to accept the fragmentation within the system and are demanding greater responsibility from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition,” she said. “We accept that, which is why we included these points in the Waste Management Plan in 2025 and began addressing them.”

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I can understand that people do not want to accept the fragmentation within the system and are demanding greater responsibility from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition.

Vučković said people responsible for illegally handling waste would face consequences, while the state would remediate all contaminated sites. “As for those responsible, I can say that they will certainly be held accountable,” she said. “As for us, we will remediate all the sites as soon as possible.”

One of the initiatives' central demands concerns Gospić. Residents want about 33,000 tonnes of waste excavated and removed within three months. Vučković said the deadline would play an important role in the plan, but she could not confirm that it would be met. She added that some interested companies were already asking for time to prepare their bids.

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As for those responsible, I can say that they will certainly be held accountable. As for us, we will remediate all the sites as soon as possible.