Split City Council Approves Return of Štandarac Monument to Narodni Trg

The Split City Council voted to restore the historic Štandarac stone pedestal to its original location on Narodni trg, known locally as Pjaca, ending a multi‑year political, procedural and judicial dispute. The decision follows a series of earlier votes, including a 2023 removal of the monument by former mayor Ivo Puljak and subsequent legal challenges. The council also adopted a Green Urban Renewal Strategy to 2035, approved a Park & Ride project on Lovrinci, limited night sales of alcohol, and called for elections to local district councils.

During the session, council members clashed sharply. Mayor Tomislav Šuta reminded colleagues of a 60‑day deadline to implement the court ruling, while deputy Damir Barbir accused the mayor of a "barbaric act" in removing the Štandarac. Council president Igor Stanišić rebuffed Barbir’s remarks, and Bojan Ivošević warned he would refer the matter to the anti‑corruption office USKOK if the mayor persisted. The heated debate highlighted deep divisions within Split's municipal government over the monument’s restoration.