Mayor dismisses criticism over free buses to protest

Sinj Mayor Miro Bulj has strongly refuted accusations from the local HDZ party concerning the city's decision to fund free bus transportation for citizens to attend a protest in Zagreb. The protest, titled 'Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia,' is scheduled for September 5th and addresses concerns over hazardous waste disposal and environmental protection.

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Is it possible that you would rather attack me over one bus than those who allowed Croatian land to be buried under foreign and domestic hazardous waste?

Igor Vidalina, president of the Sinj HDZ, had previously criticized Bulj, calling the city budget his "private ATM" and demanding transparency regarding the funding source for the buses. Vidalina also suggested that public funds should not be used for political protests and alleged that left-wing organizations were behind the Zagreb demonstration.

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Let everyone come! Both left and right! No one has ownership over the fight for Croatian land and clean water.

Mayor Bulj countered that issues such as hazardous waste, land and water protection, and public health should transcend political squabbles. He questioned why the HDZ would attack him over a bus for a protest rather than addressing those who allowed hazardous waste to be dumped in Croatia. Bulj asserted that political attacks would not deter him from enabling citizens to attend the protest.

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The issue of hazardous waste disposal, the protection of Croatian land and drinking water, and the health of citizens should not be subject to party disputes.

He further rejected the framing of the protest as a left-right political division, emphasizing that his party, Most, has been vocal about the waste issue in Lika. Bulj accused the ruling HDZ of benefiting from such political polarization, as it diverts attention from the critical environmental concerns. He drew a parallel between the HDZ and Serbia's SNS party, criticizing attempts to label critics of the government as political enemies or hidden leftists.

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My priority is Croatian land over their party ID, Croatian water over their seats, and Croatia above any party.