Croatian President Demands Extraordinary Parliament Session Over Gospić Waste Site

Croatian President Zoran Milanović has formally requested an extraordinary session of the Croatian Parliament to address the critical environmental and health concerns surrounding a hazardous waste landfill in Gospić. The move signals a significant escalation in political pressure to resolve the long-standing issue.

The president's request, submitted to Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, outlines several key demands. Firstly, it calls for the government to immediately begin the permanent remediation of the hazardous waste site. It also mandates continuous government oversight and monitoring of groundwater pollution levels and other environmental changes linked to the improper disposal of waste, ensuring human health and preventing lasting environmental damage. The government would be required to report on measures taken and pollution findings within fifteen days and provide subsequent monthly reports to Parliament.

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The residents of Gospić and Lika-Senj County are concerned about the danger to human health and the damage to the environment caused by hazardous waste illegally dumped in the area of that city.

Secondly, the request compels the government to meet with representatives of citizens and civil initiatives within three days. These groups are to be fully informed about the situation and planned remediation measures. The government is also tasked with ensuring continuous public disclosure of all relevant data concerning the landfill.

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Despite warnings from citizens and associations, hazardous waste has been brought and illegally disposed of in Gospić for years.

Furthermore, the president's office is demanding the immediate appointment of a chief state inspector within fifteen days. This new inspectorate would be tasked with initiating immediate oversight and control of all waste disposal sites across Croatia suspected of containing hazardous or illegally disposed waste. A report on the findings from these inspections is to be submitted to Parliament within three months.

President Milanović explained that the request stems from deep concern among residents of Gospić and the Lika-Senj County regarding the health risks and environmental damage caused by illegally dumped hazardous waste. He highlighted that despite warnings from citizens and associations, hazardous waste has been brought to Gospić and illegally disposed of for years. State institutions, he argued, failed to act appropriately, neglecting to prevent the waste's arrival and subsequently failing to remediate the damage once the risks became apparent.

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State institutions failed to react properly because they did not prevent the transport of hazardous waste, and after the danger to human health and the environment was established, they did nothing to remediate the damage done.