'Not in My Backyard' Echoes Across Croatia: Where Should We Build Nuclear Power Plants Then?

The Croatian public discourse is increasingly dominated by the rallying cry "Ne u mojem dvorištu" – "Not in my backyard." Večernji List observes this widespread local resistance to industrial investments, which, while seemingly acceptable in principle, face fierce opposition when proposed for one's own community. This sentiment is manifesting against a diverse range of projects, from agricultural mega-farms near Sisak to the relocation of the Katran factory and even controversial energy projects like LNG terminals and wind farms.

This localist pushback is not new, recalling long-standing opposition to projects such as the LNG terminal on Krk, wind parks, and the Plomin thermal power plant. Even seemingly modern ventures like a data center, touted as a massive €50 billion investment by American developers, are drawing ire from local families and media alike. The article notes the irony that smaller data centers are already operating without issue in other areas around Zagreb.

The piece implicitly critiques the knee-jerk opposition, questioning the practicalities of development if every proposed site faces local veto. While acknowledging the concerns of residents, it also probes the viability of progress when NIMBYism becomes the prevailing attitude. The article frames this as a significant challenge for Croatia's development trajectory, where local interests frequently clash with broader national economic or infrastructural goals.