Gospić lithium factory dispute intensifies between mayor and civic initiative

A political dispute in Gospić, Croatia, has escalated between Mayor Darko Milinović and the civic initiative “Gospić je naš dom”. The conflict centers on a disputed building permit for a lithium processing factory. Members of the initiative have raised concerns regarding potential illegal construction, specifically alleging that an investor built a liquefied gas tank without the necessary permits.

Mayor Milinović has accused members of the initiative of being linked to online comments that incite hatred and violence against him. The initiative has denied these allegations, stating that the mayor is targeting female members by name and using third-party comments to discredit them. They have called for a written response regarding why the factory's building permit has not been revoked, noting that the deadline for such action expires in December.

Local officials have stated that the decision to revoke the permit is currently being processed in cooperation with the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets, as well as the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition. The factory is currently unable to operate as it lacks a usage permit.