Heated Political Relations in Sinj: The 'Buffer Zone' Between Milanović and Plenković, Who Sat Between Them

Sinj, Croatia – The traditional Alka knight tournament on Sunday was more than just a display of horsemanship; it was a stage for simmering political tensions. President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, key figures in Croatian politics, attended the event but maintained a noticeable distance from each other. The heat of the day, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius, mirrored the political climate.

Mayor Miro Bulj of Sinj did not shy away from confrontation, launching a sharp critique of the ruling HDZ party before the Prime Minister's arrival. Bulj accused the government of neglecting Sinj's healthcare system, specifically the closure of the local maternity ward, and claimed they were "gravediggers" of the town's health services and, by extension, the Alka tradition itself. He also lamented being excluded from the official protocol, asserting that the HDZ had "completely privatized" the Alka.

Prime Minister Plenković, after a prayer at the Basilica of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, addressed the media. While initially dismissing Bulj's accusations, he later stated that the government was committed to the balanced development of Croatia, including Sinj and Dalmatia. Plenković also announced upcoming fuel price reductions, effective Monday, and addressed the issue of hazardous waste in Lika, promising remediation while adhering to legal procedures. He defended the government's approach, noting that critics would be the first to raise concerns if procedures were not followed.

Meanwhile, President Milanović, the traditional patron of the Alka, proceeded directly to the Alkarske dvorima, where he received a plaque of gratitude from the Knights' Alka Association. The seating arrangement in the ceremonial box highlighted the political divide, with Dragan Čović and Gordan Jandroković, along with his wife, positioned between the President and the Prime Minister. The Alka's Duke, Marijo Šušnjara, in his address, welcomed all guests, including a pointed remark towards Mayor Bulj, whose seat was notably empty.

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Vlada vodi računa o ravnomjernom razvoju Hrvatske pa tako i Sinja i Dalmacije.