Plenković: Protest expressed citizens’ concern and fear

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the large protest in Zagreb reflected citizens’ concern and fear over illegal waste and the safety of drinking water.

Speaking after a joint meeting of the HDZ presidency and national committee, Plenković said the government understood the message from protesters and their demand for safe water. He said officials would accelerate work on the Gospić site after a meeting held that morning.

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The protest held on Saturday was an expression of the concern and fear of our citizens.

The government’s plan includes covering buried waste, removing non-hazardous waste stored in bags, assessing offers for loose waste, and preparing a remediation plan for buried waste and material kept in silos. “All these activities, after a meeting that was also held this morning, will be intensified and accelerated, so we are working to remove the waste from Gospić as soon as possible,” Plenković said.

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All these activities, after a meeting that was also held this morning, will be intensified and accelerated, so we are working to remove the waste from Gospić as soon as possible.

He also welcomed the full publication of reports released by USKOK in a criminal case involving individuals and companies suspected of illegally dumping waste in Gospić. The prime minister said the samples analyzed were the same ones previously examined by the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering. They showed findings including microplastic elements at the same piezometer.

“Of course, as the Water Institute also announced a short while ago, they confirm that water in the public water supply system is safe to drink in Gospić and Lika-Senj County,” Plenković said. He added that the findings did not change the government’s position that drinking water was safe. He also announced proposed Criminal Code amendments to tighten environmental and nature-protection offenses. On calls for a temporary ban on waste imports, he said the government first needed to assess the data, noting that Croatia exports more waste than it imports.

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Of course, as the Water Institute also announced a short while ago, they confirm that water in the public water supply system is safe to drink in Gospić and Lika-Senj County.