Vlajčić fires back at Bauk: ‘We will sing Thompson while they sit in opposition’s shade’

A political argument over a Thompson concert has escalated into a sharp exchange between Croatia’s agriculture minister and an opposition lawmaker. David Vlajčić posted footage of himself singing Marko Perković Thompson’s songs with the crowd at a large humanitarian concert in Vukovar.

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Above all, I was a man from Vukovar.

Vlajčić said he was “above all a man from Vukovar” that evening and objected to claims that the concert was something the city should fear or be ashamed of. He said a loud minority and individuals could not silence thousands, adding that Vukovar would never lower its voice.

SDP parliamentary deputy Arsen Bauk responded by linking Vlajčić’s phrase “loud minority” to polling that put Vlajčić’s party at about 2% support. Bauk compared him with David and Goliath, saying he was David by percentage but Goliath by position because he was a minister and part of the government.

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That is why it is difficult for me when people speak of the concert in the City of Heroes as something Vukovar should fear or be ashamed of.

Bauk argued that criticizing someone’s words, songs or conduct did not amount to silencing them. He said Vlajčić had government office, microphones, cameras and a substantial institutional platform, and should not confuse freedom of speech with a right to face no response.

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By percentage, David. By position, Goliath.

Vlajčić answered that political power is won in elections, not opinion polls, which he said regularly prove inaccurate at election time. He added that he understood Bauk’s confusion because few people remembered the last time Bauk’s party won an election. Vlajčić said his party would continue working in government.

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As far as I remember, power is won in elections, not in opinion polls, which regularly prove inaccurate at elections.