Gospić hazardous waste scandal sparks parliamentary dispute and planned protests

hazardous waste Gospić Lika environmental scandal Croatian Parliament

The Croatian Parliament has become a central battleground regarding the illegal disposal of approximately 37,000 tons of hazardous waste in the Lika region, specifically near the former Velebit combine in Gospić. During an extraordinary session, the ruling majority, led by the HDZ, rejected conclusions proposed by President Zoran Milanović that sought urgent remediation and stricter oversight. Instead, the Parliament adopted the government's conclusions, which require the administration to submit a report on remediation progress within 90 days.

Opposition members, including representatives from Možemo! and SDP, have criticized the ruling party for prioritizing political interests over environmental and public health protections. They highlighted expert findings suggesting that soil and groundwater in the area are already contaminated with hazardous chemicals. In response to the political deadlock, local activist groups from Gospić and Lika, such as ‘Gospić je naš dom’ and ‘Lička ekološka akcija’, have announced a non-partisan protest in Zagreb scheduled for September 5. The organizers have emphasized that the gathering will be a civic movement focused on demanding immediate remediation and will not provide a platform for political speakers.

Entities

Andrej Plenković · Croatian Parliament · Gospić · HDZ · Sandra Benčić · Zoran Milanović

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 37,000 tons of hazardous waste have been buried in the Lika region. www.dalmacijadanas.hr
[● 7 SOURCES] Local activists and citizen initiatives are organizing a protest in Zagreb on September 5. 6yka.com · glas-slavonije.hr · n1info.hr · www.dnevno.hr · www.index.hr · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The Parliament adopted the ruling majority's conclusions, requiring the Government to submit a report on remediation progress in Gospić within 90 days. www.tportal.hr · glas-slavonije.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] The ruling HDZ party rejected proposals for urgent remediation deadlines and public reporting obligations. www.dalmacijadanas.hr · 6yka.com · www.telegram.hr · vijesti.hrt.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The former State Inspector was allegedly investigated for requesting bribes to allow waste burial. www.dalmacijadanas.hr
[● 5 SOURCES] The Croatian Parliament rejected conclusions proposed by President Zoran Milanović regarding the remediation of illegal waste in Gospić. 6yka.com · www.tportal.hr · glas-slavonije.hr · www.glasistre.hr