HDZ criticizes Zagreb mayor: 'Since Thompson was banned in Zagreb, his business has never flourished more'

Opposition party HDZ has sharply criticized Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević's administration, citing poor budget execution and unfulfilled capital investment promises. HDZ member Mario Župan questioned the mayor about payments to private waste disposal companies, alleging that contracts remain despite promises to terminate them.

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We asked a specific question. Tomislav Tomašević said before his first term that he would terminate all agreements with waste collectors and that, when he took control, he would close Jakuševec and terminate all contracts. The contracts have not been terminated, they are larger than ever. How much money is that?

During a press conference, HDZ members Mislav Herman and Mario Župan detailed their concerns. Herman stated that while the city's revenues are increasing due to government economic policies, the quality of services has declined. He pointed to a purported deficit of 196 million euros, allegedly masked by accounting maneuvers. Furthermore, he highlighted that 40% of capital investments were not realized, suggesting they were mere campaign slogans. Herman also noted that operational indicators are falling while costs rise, with the city transport company ZET only completing 22% of its investment plan. He described the management of city property as a "catastrophe," citing an increase in illegally occupied spaces and numerous vacant properties.

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Zagreb has no revenue problems today. There is as much money as you want, so to speak. The government enables economic growth, and tax changes mean higher wages. The City of Zagreb, without fault of its own, is getting more and more money. Are we seeing better service? It is non-existent.

The opposition also commented on the closure of construction sites on Vukovarska and Zvonimirova streets, deeming it a necessary safety measure. Separately, Mario Župan, director of the Student Center, addressed the upcoming concert by Marko Perković Thompson at the Kino SC. Župan stated that the Student Center, as a legal entity, rented out its space and saw no issue with the performance, emphasizing that Thompson is not banned in Croatia, only from public city spaces. Herman sarcastically congratulated Tomašević, suggesting that the mayor's ban on Thompson's performances in Zagreb has inadvertently led to the singer's increased success elsewhere.

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We believe that various accounting tricks are being used to hide a deficit of a full 196 million euros.