Addressing a press conference, Grbin said that Klisović was a professional with over 30 years’ experience in different jobs in both the public and private sector. He stressed the priority was not just the forthcoming local election, but how to run Zagreb after 16 May.
“Programmes, ideas and policies are not enough. We need people, and Joško is the person who can guarantee Zagreb progress, prosperity and a future free of the shackles of corruption,” Grbin said.
Klisović said he was seeking an alliance with the citizens in running and leading the city. “I am offering the citizens a partnership for an open, transparent and decent government. I am offering them to take part with me in decision making and running the city based on various models,” he added.
He said that, if elected, he would conduct referendums on important local issues, strengthen the city districts and local committees so that people can better articulate their ideas, and use other creative methods to involve citizens in the administration of the city.
Klisović said he wanted to make Zagreb a smart city using good practices and high standards of governance that exist in the world so that it would “finally become a metropolis rather than the most neglected capital in the European Union.”
He announced the use of high technologies and digitalisation to reduce the space for corruption, adding that he would also focus on the post-earthquake reconstruction and development of the city and the reform of the city administration and the Zagrebački Holding multi-utility conglomerate.
The repair of infrastructure facilities that are in critical condition, such as bridges and sports facilities, improving traffic control, investment in extracurricular activities for children and optimisation of the network of kindergartens, and ensuring enough places in care homes for elderly people will also be among his priorities.
Asked about his leftwing rival Tomislav Tomašević, Klisović said that Tomašević would be an excellent partner to him in running the city. “His activism and my experience can ensure good management of the city.”
