Gospić Residents Feel Abandoned: Would the State Act Differently if Thousands of Tons of Hazardous Waste Were Near Zagreb, Split, or Rijeka?

Residents of Gospić, Croatia, express a profound sense of abandonment concerning the hazardous waste polluting their region. The issue, which has been known for 18 months, has only recently gained political traction, prompting widespread concern and action.

Following the increased attention, the ruling coalition held an emergency meeting. Prime Minister Plenković has ordered accelerated cleanup efforts and proposed introducing ecocide into the Criminal Code as a severe offense against the environment. Monitoring and water testing in the Ličko-Senjska County have also been intensified.

The opposition has responded by demanding an extraordinary session of the Croatian Parliament, calling for the government's resignation and early elections. This political mobilization, however, leads to a critical question: where was this urgency when the problem first emerged?

Eighteen months ago, when the citizen initiative "Gospić je naš dom" (Gospić is Our Home) sought help and answers, there was no political crisis, no calls for resignation, and no media spotlight. The article questions the delayed response, highlighting the suffering of Gospić residents and the belated political importance given to their plight. It suggests that the focus should not solely be on the government's future actions but on understanding the reasons for the prolonged inaction.