Delayed Pollution Report Ignites Further Scrutiny, Political Shifts Emerge
Get European news in your inbox daily
A short daily digest of the whole continent — or just the countries you care about.
Check your email. We've sent a confirmation link — click it to complete your subscription.
A critical report on water pollution in Gospić, detailing microplastics and 'forever chemicals,' was officially released two days after recent protests, despite being completed a month prior. This delayed transparency has intensified public and political scrutiny, further fueling the ongoing Lika waste saga. The ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) faces new challenges, with a recent Cro Demoskop poll indicating a decline in its support, while opposition parties like Most and Možemo! see a rise.
In related developments, the company Neven Plast has publicly refuted accusations from the Most party, stating that their laboratory personnel did not collect samples or determine any hazardous waste. Meanwhile, the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) has experienced an internal political shake-up, with Member of Parliament Dalibor Paus removed from his role as head of the parliamentary group due to his opposition to cooperating with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. New regulations aimed at increasing salary transparency in job advertisements have also come into effect, with early observations on their impact now emerging.
Looking ahead, a significant shift in weather patterns is anticipated, with forecasters predicting an unusual and potentially turbulent autumn season marked by supercell storms and hail. On a positive note, the City of Zagreb has initiated a program to subsidize diopter glasses for children, outlining specific conditions for eligibility. Internationally, Prime Minister Plenković has addressed European leaders regarding Ratko Mladić and Serbia's EU accession, drawing responses from figures like Ursula von der Leyen, who condemned images from Mladić's funeral.