Mirela Holy warns of persistent waste management interest groups in Croatia

Former Croatian Minister of Environmental Protection Mirela Holy has renewed allegations regarding powerful interest groups controlling the country's waste management system. Holy stated that she is hesitant to name specific individuals because she no longer possesses parliamentary immunity and fears retaliation from wealthy figures with significant legal resources.

Holy recalled that during her tenure in 2012, she faced extreme threats, including being told she would be ‘recycled’ or burned in an incinerator for attempting to reform the sector. She asserted that the same influential groups, often referred to as ‘waste lords,’ remain active and powerful in Croatia today.

The situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding illegal waste, including issues in locations such as Gospić and Benkovac, involving thousands of tons of hazardous materials and suspicious documentation. Critics have called on top government officials, including Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, to address why these systemic issues and criminal influences persist despite previous warnings.