Tens of thousands rally in Zagreb over Croatia waste cleanup delays

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Zagreb's central square on Saturday to protest the government's failure to clean up over 30,000 tons of waste in Croatia's Lika region. Authorities discovered the accumulated material, partially imported from Italy between 2023 and 2024, near Gospić last year. Environmental organizations warn that the site, containing medical and industrial waste, is actively contaminating local soil, air, and drinking water in a protected ecological area. Protesters marched under banners demanding immediate environmental remediation and accountability. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković visited Gospić ahead of the rally, announcing that a contractor had been selected for the initial removal phase. However, local residents and activists dismissed the measure as insufficient and delayed. Actor Rade Šerbedžija also joined the demonstration, calling the situation a national disgrace. The mass mobilization reflects mounting public pressure on Croatian authorities to resolve environmental hazards and enforce stricter waste management regulations nationwide.