Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić is accused by opponents of using city funds to promote his political fortunes.
Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić organized on Wednesday evening a large event marking the completion of the project of construction of five fountains at the Croatian Fraternal Union Street. He also used the opportunity to comment on accusations that he was using public funds to promote himself politically ahead of the elections on Sunday, reports Index.hr on September 8, 2016.
Bandić was asked by reporters what he thought about the nickname “Jimmy Fountain”, which was given to him by SDP president Zoran Milanović. “That is very nice. Given the results which Milanović had while he was Prime Minister, I could call him ‘Zoki Banana’.”
He also commented on claims that the event was actually his election rally worth 30 million kuna paid by the taxpayer, and that the money could have been better spent on constructing five new kindergartens. Bandić replied that there were enough kindergartens in Zagreb as it is. “If I did not know to listen what the people of Zagreb want, then I would not have been elected mayor five times. After elections on Sunday, we will work according to the same principles in whole of Croatia. We will set priorities, since there is enough money”, added Bandić.
“City budget has revenues 13 percent higher than in the first six months of last year. Imagine what would happen if the state budget had the same results. After Sunday, nothing in Croatia will ever be the same”, said Bandić.
Asked about the fact that some kindergarten teachers have to take care of as many as 30 children, he replied that the standards in Zagreb were three times better than anywhere else in Croatia. “This is something that MOST has been talking about. Do you know how many children each kindergarten teacher has to take care of in Metković and Omiš [towns from which MOST leaders come from]? Twenty. And do you know how many children each teacher has in their care in Zagreb? Eight. So this argument really cannot be used against me”, said Bandić.
The fountains project has been controversial from the very start, when many citizens started complaining that the money could have been spent in a better way. The latest phase of the project was actually completed a couple of months ago, but the official inauguration ceremony was postponed because the fountains allegedly had to be tested for several months. The fact that the event was organized several days before the elections is certainly not a coincidence.
