Rijeka Mayor Accused of 'Trojan Horse' Move as HDZ Joins Ruling Coalition

Rijeka's city administration is set for a significant overhaul, with a proposed restructuring that will expand the number of administrative departments to 11, alongside two services. The decision, which passed with 21 votes, has reshaped the city's political landscape, notably with the HDZ party joining the ruling majority. Mayor Iva Rinčić's proposal secured support from various groups, including the AM-UNIJA-CENTAR-HSU-FOKUS-ALTERNATIVA club, the HDZ club, and several independent councilors.

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Rinčić and the political group around her have decided to completely reveal their political direction, which is to hand over Rijeka to the HDZ.

This shift has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. The Platform Možemo Rijeka labeled Mayor Rinčić a "Trojan horse" for the HDZ, accusing her of handing over the city's governance to the party. They argue that smaller parties aligned with Rinčić will be unable to counter the HDZ's influence once given access to the city administration and budget. Možemo also contends that this move disregards the voters' will, pointing to a perceived shift in alliances since the elections.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) of Rijeka, which abstained from the vote, stated that the restructuring reveals a lack of a value or program framework behind Rinčić's purported independent stance. Instead, they see it as driven by political bargaining and interest-based coalitions. The SDP questions the undisclosed political agreements that led to this majority, especially given the involvement of the HDZ, Marko Filipović, and Most.

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The reorganization of the city administration is not an administrative issue, but a deeply political decision that determines the way Rijeka is managed. If such a decision is made with the votes of the HDZ, Marko Filipović, and Most, citizens have the right to know what political agreements preceded that majority and what was promised in return.

Lista za Rijeku also commented on the situation, suggesting that Mayor Rinčić's alliance with the HDZ signifies a clear political direction, contradicting her pre-election promises not to cooperate with the HDZ or SDP. They highlight her prior collaboration with Marko Filipović immediately after the elections and now her alignment with the HDZ, indicating a departure from her stated principles and a potential disregard for voter mandates.

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With the entry of the HDZ into the ruling majority, the mayor has finally come out of the closet and openly shown the political framework on which she bases her power.